Category: Charlotte

Air Sealing to prevent Allergy Symptoms in Charlotte, NC & Charleston, SC

Allergy Symptoms? Air Seal!

Posted by alanna stosic on May 27, 2019

Springtime in Charlotte, NC means summer and long, fun-filled days are coming soon. If you suffer from allergies, spring and summer may not be seasons that you welcome. Dust and pollutants can enter your home through your home penetration points which exist around windows, HVAC venting, can lights, and chimneys. The allergens then reside in the air you breathe and can worsen allergy or asthma symptoms.

By air sealing your home, you can prevent outside pollutants from infiltrating your home. Additionally, after air sealing your home, you and your family will be more comfortable all year long. Drafts will be reduced and the temperature inside your home will be easier to regulate. An additional benefit is that your energy bills may be lower than if your home is not air sealed.

Always hire a professional when air sealing your home whether it is an existing home or a new build. A professional is able to detect penetration points in your home that are not visible to the naked eye and will ensure that your home is thoroughly and correctly air sealed.

Interested in air sealing? Contact our office to schedule your free air sealing estimate!

Five Summer Energy Tips

Posted by alanna stosic on August 20, 2018

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:

Run Ceiling Fans. Keep your ceiling fans running to circulate conditioned air. This can also increase comfort by keeping the air moving in the home.
Seal Air Leaks. All homes have air leaks as a result of the construction process. Air leaks allow conditioned inside air to escape, causing your cooling system to run more often. Having your home air sealed by a qualified contractor will help ensure the job is done right the first time.
Run Bath Fans. Running your bath fan after showers will help remove warm, humid air. By adding a timer to your bath fan, you can schedule it to run on a daily basis to continually move stale, warm air out of the house.
Adjust Your Thermostat. If your home has a programmable thermostat, check it. Can you turn it up a degree or two during the day? Increasing the temperature in your home during the day when there are fewer people at home can provide some relief in your energy bills.
Increase Attic Insulation. Many homes don’t have enough attic insulation. Even newer homes may have attic insulation that does not meet current codes. Contact a qualified contractor to have insulation added to your attic. Increasing your attic insulation can save up to 30% on your energy bills!

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.

Insulation Vs Windows for Better ROI

Posted by alanna stosic on July 18, 2018

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.

Beat Summer Heat – Insulate!

Posted by alanna stosic on May 21, 2018

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.

3 Reasons to Hire an Insulation Contractor

Posted by alanna stosic on February 8, 2018

Hiring a Professional Insulation Contractor in Charlotte, NC

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:

Proper Installation. Without proper installation techniques, insulation will not perform properly. A professional insulation contractor has the experience and training to properly install insulation to maximize performance, attic venting to ensure proper airflow and air sealing to reduce outside air infiltration.
Building Code and Building Science Knowledge. Hiring a professional insulation contractor gives you access to a wide array of knowledge and training. Professional insulation contractors are up to date on local building codes, new insulation technologies and installation methods to be sure your home is properly insulated and as energy efficient as possible.
Safety. A professional insulation contractor conducts proper safety training for its installer team. Proper safety training reduces the risk of workplace injury. A professional insulation contractor is trained to spot other hazards such as wiring including knob and tube issues, installing around other combustible materials and more.

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.

What is Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality?

Posted by alanna stosic on June 16, 2017

When we think of air quality, we most often think of outdoor air. Did you know that the air inside your home might have the biggest impact on your health? One estimate indicates the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure at home (via The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/USEPA).

Indoor air quality can be affected by many things – construction materials, materials used to manufacture furniture, cleaning products used in our homes, etc. If you would like to improve the air quality inside your home, here are some steps:

Change cleaning products – look for cleaning products, air fresheners, etc. that are made with natural ingredients or are low-emitting products.

Air seal your home – keeping out external pollutants helps maintain your home’s indoor environment. When external pollutants are kept out, your indoor air can be properly tested and maintained. Spray foam insulation effectively seals air leaks and insulates in one step.

Ventilation – After your home is air sealed, having a proper mechanical ventilation system will help remove indoor air pollutants.

Contact our office to learn about how spray foam insulation can help keep out external pollutants, help maintain your home’s indoor air quality, and help reduce your energy bills. We are happy to provide a free estimate.