The ABS Insulating team is proud to be led by Allan Hoppe. In 1991 Allan partnered with two colleagues to start ABS Insulating. Allan is now the sole owner. He oversees two branches in Charlotte and Myrtle Beach.
Recently Allan was featured in the National Insulation Contractors’ Exchange member spotlight. Click here to learn more about our leadership, history and future!
Even though we like to hold onto summer as long as possible, winter will arrive in no time. If you are once again waiting for the first cold snap to get your home ready for winter, you will suffer with higher than necessary energy bills. This year, stay ahead of the season and get to work on these four tasks:
If your home needs an insulation upgrade, gutter repair or gutter protection, we can help! Contact our office to schedule a free estimate!
Proper installation techniques are critical to insulation performance, energy conservation and comfort. As a professional insulation contractor, it’s our responsibility to educate and train our team members – from installers to management – on proper insulation installation methods.
In August 2018 the teams from ABS Insulating and ABS Coastal Insulating participated in Grade I Fiberglass Insulation training. The training was led by Janet Miller, Outreach Manager at Appalachian State University’s Energy Center and in partnership with NAIMA. Training topics included the building science behind what makes Grade I so effective, the fundamentals of building energy codes and delivery of repeatable Grade I installations on every fiberglass insulation installation.
By following Grade I Installation techniques we will help our customers save money by decreasing energy waste and increasing comfort. Trainings were held onsite at our Charlotte and Myrtle Beach locations. Contact us for help with your project.
Have uncomfortable summer temperatures taken a toll on your energy bills? If summer heat has taken the fun out of your summer – and money out of your wallet – here are five things you can do to ease the pinch:
If summer temperatures have made your home uncomfortable, it’s time to do something about it. If you’d like us to check your attic insulation level or talk with you about air sealing, give us a call to schedule your free estimate.
When thinking of a home upgrade that will increase energy efficiency, homeowners typically consider two projects: insulation or windows. There is a lot of confusion about which option provides a better return on investment.
Building envelope
Your home’s envelope consists of the walls, floor and roof. When considering the total square footage of your home’s envelope, windows make up a very a small portion. By upgrading the energy efficiency of your home’s attic and walls, you will be maximizing energy efficiency across a greater portion of your home’s envelope and will see a greater energy benefit.
Air flow
Air inside a home naturally flows from ground to sky. A home loses 70% of energy through the attic and roof – far more than is lost through windows or doors. By upgrading your attic insulation, conditioned air will stay inside your home. Adding air sealing further prevents conditioned air from seeping out around ducts, attics and more.
R-value
R-value is a measure of the amount of heat flow a certain product resists. The higher the R-value, the better it reduces heat flow. The R-value of windows can vary based on the number of panes, air space between panes, etc.
Double pane windows have an R-value of 1.5 to 2. Upgrading insulation to current code would result in attic R-value of R-30 to R-38 in North Carolina. When you consider the difference in R-value and the natural heat flow in a home, it’s easy to see how a fresh blanket of insulation is a great investment.
Cost
When looking at the bottom line, your choice is clear. According to Home Advisor, the average cost to upgrade windows in the Charlotte area is $4,526. The same report shows the average cost to upgrade insulation in the Charlotte area is $1,124.*
Ready to add insulation to your attic? Contact us to schedule your free estimate.
* Project costs can vary.
Keeping your home cool during warm summer months can feel like a full-time job. Adding a radiant barrier to your attic can help reduce summer heat gain and decrease cooling costs. A radiant barrier is an insulation product consisting of material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.
Radiant energy from the sun is the primary force in causing the roof to heat. Much of this radiant heat is conducted into the attic through the shingles, roof deck and other roofing materials. Heat is trapped inside the attic and raises the temperature of the ducts and attic floor. Although insulation helps manage the temperature inside your home, a radiant barrier reflects heat out of the attic and helps keep the attic cooler than insulation alone.
A radiant barrier is very effective in hot, sunny climates. Some data indicates that adding a radiant barrier to your home can reduce cooling costs up to 10 percent. If you’re adding a cooling system to a new home or upgrading your home’s existing cooling system, a radiant barrier may allow you to install a smaller cooling system.
Learn more about radiant barrier systems by contacting our office at (704) 821-4343! We are happy to discuss your project and the benefits of adding a radiant barrier.
When warm summer weather arrives, most homeowners think about painting, landscaping and other outdoor projects. Upgrading home insulation is one of the last things that come to mind. Although insulation is commonly associated with cold weather, the thermal barrier it creates is just as important during hot summer weather.
When the weather is hot, the sun heats the surface of your roof. This heat transfers to the air inside your attic. At the same time your attic is heating up, your air conditioning system is working overtime to manage the indoor temperature. In an attempt to create a temperature balance, hot attic air moves into your home’s cooled living space. This in turn heats your home’s inside temperature, requiring your cooling system to work even harder.
This same situation applies to wall insulation. When exterior walls are heated by the hot summer sun, the temperature inside the wall cavity increases. This warm air will attempt to create a balance by moving into your home’s living space. Adding wall insulation helps reduce this heat transfer to keep your home comfortable.
When a home is properly insulated and air sealed, warm air stays out of your living space. This means your cooling system runs less often, reducing your monthly energy bills. Let’s not forget – upgrading insulation will keep your home comfortable all year. This one investment will pay you back month after month!
Not sure if your insulation is doing its job? Contact our office. We are happy to answer your questions and schedule a free estimate.
Your rain gutter system can make or break your home’s structure. Unfortunately, rain gutters in Charlotte, North Carolina don’t get the attention they deserve. Rain gutters are easy to forget, until a home’s structure is impacted by pooling water, leaks and more.
If your Charlotte, North Carolina rain gutter system isn’t professionally installed or if it needs repairs, your home can be impacted by the following:
The cost to add a proper rain gutter system or repair a current system in Charlotte is a fraction of the cost to repair water damage. Hiring a professional gutter company in Charlotte is the best way to ensure your home is protected from water damage. If you are looking for a rain gutter estimate in Charlotte, North Carolina contact ABS Insulating. Our professional gutter installers will provide a free gutter estimate for your home.
Many homeowners like to tackle home improvement projects. There are many resources to help homeowners learn how to handle home improvements including retail stores, online videos and more. With so many tools, homeowners may feel confident enough to take on almost any project. When it comes to installing or upgrading home insulation, it’s best to hire a professional insulation contractor.
Here are three reasons why you should hire a professional insulation contractor:
Don’t let the perceived cost savings of DIY insulation cost more in the long run. Hire a professional insulation contractor and have the job done right the first time! Our office provides free estimates. Contact our office to schedule your free estimate.
With an increase in green building techniques and tighter building envelopes that result, proper ventilation is increasingly important. Today’s homes are built tight to keep conditioned air in and help reduce energy bills. Tight building envelopes also keep air impurities inside the home including any chemicals used in cleaning products, paint, building materials and more. This combination makes a strong case for proper home ventilation system to maintain optimal air quality and maintain your home’s energy efficiency.There are many factors that influence the appropriate type of home ventilation including local code requirements, building size and types of appliances. Here are three of the most common ventilation systems:
Does your home have a ventilation system? Do you have questions about your home’s air sealing and ventilation? Contact us with any questions.