Did you know that most homes, old and new, are under-insulated? According to recent research by The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), almost 90% of existing homes in the U.S. are under-insulated.
Most homeowners with older homes wrongfully assume that their home is adequately insulated. Only 20% of older homes (those built before 1980) were sufficiently insulated.
From the basement to the attic, insulation acts like a down jacket around your home that helps create a more comfortable environment and reduces utility bills.
However, contrary to what some homeowners believe, the purpose of home insulation is not only limited to acting like a thermos, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Instead, the idea of insulation is significantly based on energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling consume nearly half of the home’s energy. This leads to detrimental energy bills for homeowners. Fortunately, insulation contractors in Framingham, MA, offer an easy solution that results in an energy-efficient home—insulation.
A home without proper insulation will experience poor thermal performance resulting in high utility bills and placing a strain on household budgets, HVAC systems, and the environment.
In numerous homes, insulation is probably easier than sealing air leaks. However, it may be a bigger insulation project if your exterior walls need to be insulated. Attics and interior walls are relatively easier to insulate, and additional insulation has many benefits for most homes.
Regardless of how old your house is, don’t be fooled just by the presence of some insulation in the walls, floors, attic space, or basement —even if the insulation looks like a lot. Some houses have a thin layer that does not help much; others have insulation previously installed only in areas that were easy to access.
Therefore, while there may be exceptions, many structures, homes, and buildings need insulation today. If a homeowner needs to sell an older home built without insulation, it will require an energy retrofit. And even newer homes with a lot of insulation can still suffer from significant installation issues and gaps worth fixing —by professional insulation contractors who care enough about the details to get the job done right. This project would involve the contractors choosing and installing the right insulation based on the regional climate and local building code.
There are plenty of good reasons why home insulation is crucial, and every house needs it, such as:
- Lower energy bills
- More consistent and comfortable room-to-room temperatures
- Healthier indoor air quality
- Less indoor drafts
- Reduced noise
- Lower risk of infestation and mold growth
- Higher home value
While these are all great insulation benefits, the most notable point for every homeowner is to reduce energy bills.Once installed, insulation creates a thermal barrier blocking heat from escaping and entering your home. This barrier keeps the heat outside in summer, and in winter, it keeps it in. As a result, your HVAC system doesn’t need to be running as frequently, which lowers your energy bills!Whether you want to save money on energy bills, be more comfortable, or want a quieter house, we can help install the right kind of insulation for your home.
Mass Save® is a collaborative program in Massachusetts aimed at promoting energy efficiency and helping residents and businesses save on their utility bills. The program is run by a partnership of the state’s gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers, including Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, and Cape Light Compact.
The Mass Save program offers a variety of services, rebates, and incentives to help customers reduce their energy consumption, lower their energy costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
To participate in the Mass Save program, Massachusetts residents and businesses can visit the program’s website (masssave.com) or contact their utility provider for more information on available offerings and eligibility requirements.
There are various types of insulation, including the four top ones, which are also the most common.
The efficiency of home insulation is usually rated in terms of its R-value ratings which refers to the ability of the insulation to prevent heat transfer. It’s always wise to choose insulation with a higher R rating.
Understanding the pros and cons of each insulation type is crucial so you can decide what suits your home.
- Batt & roll insulation – Also known as blanket insulation, batt & roll insulation is made from fiberglass, rockwool, natural, or plastic fibers. This insulation is used on foundation walls, unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Loose-fill and blown-in insulation are typically made from recycled materials such as blown cellulose insulation, mineral wool, or fiberglass. As the name suggests, this type of insulation is best to use in hard-to-reach areas like enclosed existing walls, new wall cavities, attic floors, and walls.
- Reflective Insulation & Radiant Barriers – Whether made of plastic film, foil-faced kraft paper, cardboard, or polyethylene bubbles, reflective insulation helps reflect heat from the sun instead of absorbing it. Reflective insulation is often installed in attics since it lowers radiant heat from the roof to indoor spaces like ceilings and floors.
- Spray Foam & Rigid Foam Insulation– Made of liquid latex or polyurethane foam, spray foam insulation is among the most common and most effective types of home insulation because once sprayed into a cavity, it creates a multi-layer barrier to block outside noise and air from transmitting into your home. Rigid foam offers the same benefits and is sprayed, injected, or poured into existing walls to lower the amount of heat conducted through wall studs, wood, and roofs.
High-quality and professionally installed insulation can make your home comfortable and lower energy costs. The insulation contractors in Framingham, MA, at Northeast Home & Energy have the experience and knowledge to assess your needs and give an estimate on the best type of insulation that suits your home and budget.
If it’s never quite cool or warm enough in your home and your energy costs are hitting the roof, it may be time to upgrade the insulation. However, before you start looking for a home insulation contractor in Framingham, Massachusetts, you may first want to know what rates to expect regarding insulation installation costs.
It’s difficult to say exactly how much it will cost you to have your home insulation installed without an assessment. The cost of home insulation can be affected by various factors, including the material and type of insulation, the shape, and size of your home, the local building code requirements, the areas of the house that need insulation, whether it’s an existing or new home, and more.
Northeast Home & Energy is an experienced and trusted insulation company near you in Framingham, Massachusetts. We provide a no-cost energy assessment to evaluate the areas that need insulation in your home and the installation price.
Insulation is made to last for many years. So if you need insulation installed in a new home, you can check the product warranty and use it as an estimate of how long the product will probably last. For instance, most modern batt and roll insulation will have a product warranty of between 50 to 70 years.
If you have moved to an existing older home, likely, you don’t know when the installation was last done. So the first step is to ensure your home has insulation and evaluate its condition.
With careful preparation and planning, installing your own insulation (certain types) is definitely possible. However, some types of insulation will require the expertise of a professional to install. For example, homeowners can install batting and blow-in insulation as a DIY. In contrast, spray foam and foam board insulation require a professional insulation contractor.
The installation process is a labor and time-intensive home project. It may include hard-to-reach areas in your home, so if you plan to DIY, plan to set aside sufficient time for the insulation installation and planning, research, and general preparation.
However, remember that while certain types of insulation may be straightforward to install, due to other factors like the insulation projects location, it may prove wise to hire professional insulation installers.
If it’s important to you that your home is energy-efficient, you’ll need to consider home insulation and the different types of iterations that come with it.
For the best insulation installation, our team of insulation experts at Northeast Home & Energy can help get your home in the Framingham area professionally insulated. Contact us today to learn more about our cost effective insulation services and get an appointment for a free estimate.