Insulation, Air Sealing & Ductwork

The fact remains that many homes - and some newer ones - simply do not offer sufficient insulation (especially in the vented attic) to keep out the elements and keep in your conditioned air.


  • Even high R-value fiberglass batt insulation does nothing to stop air flowing between the studs/joint and the edge of the insulation. Modern loose-fill (or “blown”) insulation does a better job, but neither one is fully effective without proper air sealing.
  • We strongly recommend a thermal camera scan to pinpoint air leakage locations and poor insulation performance.  Proper air sealing in advance of insulation (regardless of type) will ensure the R-Value performs as advertised.
  • If sealing the attic with spray foam insulation is impractical, we offer blown cellulose insulation combined with radiant barriers to combat excessive attic heat. Of course, we start with a thorough inspection of existing duct work/registers.

WHAT DO CLIENTS THINK OF OUR WORK?

Project description: The Finney family decided to take action against consistently high electric bills and an uncomfortable 2nd floor master bedroom. An energy audit identified some simple solutions to combat those problems – improved ductwork sealing, whole house weatherization, CFL bulb upgrades, and a radiant barrier in the attic. The leftover radiant barrier material was also used to wrap their electric water heaters, vastly improving their heat retention.

Client feedback: “The attic is at least 15 degrees cooler & the second floor is much more comfortable – our electricity bill is the lowest it’s ever been!” – Kathryn Finney, RE/MAX Realtor

What is spray foam?

Spray polyurethane foam, commonly referred to as SPF, is a spray-applied insulating foam plastic that is installed as a liquid and then expands many times its original size. Specialized equipment is used to apply the spray polyurethane foam and proper technical training is important in order to get the best results.

SPF is the king of building materials for multitasking. For insulation it can provide air barriers and assistance in moister control in buildings. For roofing, spray polyurethane foam insulates and eliminates thermal bridging through fasteners or gaps in decking while providing a long-lasting roofing system that has a life that can be extended by re-coating or recovering in an average of 10–15 years.

What are the benefits of spray foam?

SPF is environmentally friendly, contains no formaldehyde or ozone depleting chemicals, saves energy and reduces the use of fossil fuels, thereby reducing global warming gases. It also assists in providing good indoor air quality, requires less energy to produce than the leading insulation, and reduces the amount of energy required to transport and install it. SPF is durable, maintains physical properties over time, contributes little to the waste stream, and in a single product (depending on the formula and project) can take the place of three-four other products, including insulation, air barriers, sealants, vapor retarders, and weather barriers.

What are radiant barriers?

Radiant barriers or reflective barriers inhibit heat transfer by thermal radiation.

Solar energy is absorbed by a roof, heating the roof sheathing and causing the underside of the sheathing and the roof framing to radiate heat downward toward the attic floor. When a radiant barrier is placed directly underneath the roofing material incorporating an air gap, much of the heat radiated from the hot roof is reflected back toward the roof and the low emissivity of the underside of the radiant barrier means very little radiant heat is emitted downwards. This makes the top surface of the insulation cooler than it would have been without a radiant barrier and thus reduces the amount of heat that moves through the insulation into the rooms below the ceiling.

Radiant barrier only improve your comfort but do not help much with utility bill savings.  Studies show that they help reduce utilty bills by only about 10% in the summer.  We recommend other solutions (such as improving the attic air sealing and insulation) before considering a radiant barrier installion.

Ductwork

According to building code standards, all HVAC ducts should be made airtight by sealing the joints and seams. But since duct sealing is so labor intensive, it is often neglected by the installer and simply overlooked by the builder. A Department of Energy (DOE) report states, "Most duct systems lose 25-40 percent” of the conditioned air due to leaks. Let EnergyTribe help you by testing tightness, identifying leaks, and repairing them.  This is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make for your home or office.

Sources: http://www.sprayfoam.org, http://wikipedia.com