Accurate Insulation

A Look Inside the Attic Insulation Process

Completely insulating an attic is not an easy job. The old insulation can prevent your contractor from detecting cracks or leaks in the attic floor. Also, chimneys, wires, and pipes may enter the attic, creating irregularities that make it more difficult for the contractor to install a smooth layer of insulation on the floor.
 
In this video, you can see how weatherization crews deal with common challenges during the attic insulation process. You will also see how spray foam can create an effective barrier against the elements in your attic.
 
When the time comes to update the insulation in your attic, call Accurate Insulation at (301) 358-0914. We keep homes in Maryland sealed against outside air infiltration.

4 Common Places Cold Air Could Be Penetrating Your Home This Winter

When winter arrives, homeowners shut outside doors and windows, get their sweaters and long pajamas out, and fire up their heating systems. However, all of these winter measures are somewhat ineffective if your home has leaks that let warm air escape and cold drafts blow in. A well-insulated home stays warm even when it’s snowing outside. This winter, keep an eye on these vulnerable spots where your home can lose thermal energy:

Exterior Doors
Drafts often enter homes through gaps in exterior doorframes. Use a draft blocker or door snake at the bottom of your frame to make sure that cold breezes don’t blow in under the door. Don’t forget to winterize your basement door as well.

Windows
Even the latest energy-efficient windows still let some heat escape. Make sure you install weatherstripping or caulking around your window frames to make them airtight. You can also keep the drapes closed to reduce drafts.

Attic  
Cold air that enters the attic through vents or cracks in your roof can infiltrate the rest of your home. Even if your attic is an unfinished storage space, make sure that your attic insulation has the required R-value for local climate conditions.

Siding Gaps
Certain home siding materials crack more easily than others, and the cracks can let air into your walls, decreasing your insulation’s efficiency. If you have any room additions or enclosed porches, make sure they are caulked and airtight, because air can enter your home through gaps in the added walls.

Though you can do your best to minimize unwanted air infiltration in these areas, the best way to detect small leaks is to hire a professional to perform a Whole House Air Sealing on your home. To consult the experts at Accurate Insulation of Maryland and Washington, D.C., call us at (301) 358-0914.

To Learn More about Insulating Your Home, Visit These Links

Maryland and Washington, D.C. experience four seasons, so it’s important to make sure your home is protected against temperature extremes. No matter the age of your home, Accurate Insulation can make sure that it stays airtight and energy efficient by sealing up leaks and installing insulation. Call us at (301) 358-0914 or visit the links below to learn more.

• Learn about air sealing and blower door tests by visiting Energy.gov.
    
• AskTheBuilder.com compares the benefits of batt and blown insulation for your attic in this article.
   
• Read all about adding insulation to your home in this guide.
    
• Determine the minimum R-value your home needs for proper insulation with help from this website.
    
• For attic insulation considerations, follow this link to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

3 Signs Your Fiberglass Batt Insulation Should Be Replaced

Unless your home was custom-built in the last few years, the insulation in your walls is probably fiberglass batting. Builders commonly use this material, because it can be relatively inexpensive compared to other types of home insulation. However, homeowners often end up paying more for heating and cooling over time, as older batting often has a low R-value, meaning that it lets thermal energy easily pass through the walls of your home. Some signs that you might need to update your insulation are:

Higher HVAC Bills
High utility bills are the number one sign that a home’s insulation is inefficient. You can seal your home’s drafty spots, keep all your windows closed, and dial down the thermostat, but the best way to stay comfortable while keeping heating and cooling costs down is to upgrade your home’s insulation. Even the most efficient HVAC system will waste energy trying to maintain a constant temperature in a poorly insulated home.

Less Hot Water
If you notice a reduction in the quantity and temperature of hot water in your home every winter, your water heater is probably not the issue. The further your water heater is from your shower and faucets, the more pipes the water must run through to come out the other end. Fiberglass batting in your walls, especially when improperly installed, does not always insulate pipes from heat loss. Blown-in fiberglass or spray foam insulation can tightly fill the space around the pipes to keep your water hot.

More Noise Problems
The insulation in your home’s walls keeps out more than bad weather—it can also block sounds from outside your home, such as traffic noise, pedestrian chatter, and malfunctioning car alarms. Even in mild months when you don’t have your HVAC system on at all, good insulation can help you relax at home by dampening the noise level.

To upgrade or replace your home’s insulation, call Accurate Insulation. We install efficient, soundproof insulation in homes around Washington, D.C. and Maryland. To learn more about home insulation, call us today at (301) 358-0914.

The Benefits of Cellulose Insulation

Though fiberglass insulation is very common, it is neither the safest nor the most effective insulation material. Most fiberglass batting has a very low R-value, which means that it allows thermal energy to leak into and out of your home. Low R-value insulation raises your energy bills in both summer and winter, because it does not keep your home at a constant temperature.

Watch this video to learn about the drawbacks of fiberglass and the advantages of cellulose insulation. For example, fiberglass insulation releases microscopic glass particles into the air, especially during installation, and these fibers may not be safe for people to inhale.

If you would like to install cellulose insulation in your Maryland home, call Accurate Insulation at (301) 358-0914. We can also perform a Whole House Air Sealing to keep drafts out of your home.