Home Energy Efficiency Tips
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 2.5.22.
Hiring a reputable contractor can take some homework and it’s important to get quotes from more than one contractor. Online reviews are a great place to start your research. However, talking to previous customers of the contractor can also provide an understanding of whether the contractor started the project on time, if they cleaned up after themselves, and if the job was completed correctly the first time. It’s also wise to view photos of past projects and get complete information on product and workmanship warranties. Failure to properly vet a potential contractor can lead to incomplete or subpar work.
Quality contractors can assist homeowners with multiple projects which make sense to tackle first. They are also able to advise which projects have the best return on investment. A home improvement project that has an exceptional return on investment is attic spray foam insulation. The best way to achieve R-60 in an attic is to put down two and a half inches to three inches of spray foam insulation after the existing insulation has been removed. Then, cellulose insulation can be blown-in over the top. This will change how the air moves within a home because the entire attic has been sealed up. The pay-off quickly comes as home energy bills are lessened and comfort levels are increased.
Wall insulation is a project that must be performed correctly to not have mold, insulation voids, and cracked foam. Homeowners looking at insulating a wall should understand that the interior wall or the exterior sheathing should come off. This is because walls often contain electrical components. A siding project can prove the perfect opportunity to address wall energy efficiency, especially when insulated house wrap, such as Insultex™, is used. At only 1 mm thick, it is R-6. This is possible because during the curing process, it becomes an evacuated cell. This means the energy transfer must go through a tortuous path. No matter how much you compress the Insultex™ product, the cells never burst.
Go Behind-The-Scenes On A Home Insulation Project:
Another home improvement that increases a home’s energy efficiency is the installation of new windows. Infinity® from Marvin windows win high marks for their durability. They are manufactured to handle the extreme temperatures of the northern climate. In the summer months, they reflect the heat. In the winter months, solar heat gain is achieved due to the window’s glass pack.
Listen To The Entire Show Here:
