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Breathe easier with high-performance insulation

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 11:47:41 GMT

Indoor air quality has never been more important - Insulation can help!

Air quality is a hot topic right now , with wildfires spread out across Canada and smoke drifting down into America, it seems like everyone wants to know if the air they breathe is safe. New York had yellow skies for over a week, and today you can barely see the Statue of Liberty standing proudly on the Hudson.

The East coast has been hit pretty hard by these pollutants, but it's not just outdoor air quality that those of us at Akron Home Insulators think about, its indoor air quality as well. Did you know that insulation acts as a barrier and filter against airborne toxins? Because the air inside your home can be more healthy with a better performing insulation, Akron Home Insulators recommends inspecting and updating any damaged or old insulation as soon as it is discovered.

Some insulation does this better than others, our specialty spray foam for example, makes a complete barrier against air, vapor, and water. Meaning that the only air in your home is air that is brought in, filtered by the HVAC, and then breathed by your family.

And its not just polluted air that is stopped by high performance insulation, those with allergies will notice this the most, its pollen! When outdoor air is able to freely enter the home, like through an air gap, pollen comes along with it. Air gaps can form as insulation settles, a common sight with any loose fill insulation, because gravity will push it down over time, allowing air gaps the chance to appear and let in outdoor air, uninhibited.

Indoor air quality is also dictated by what might be growing in your home and insulation, namely, mold. Mold requires water to move and grow, and when water gets into insulation its often no good. Untreated mold in the home, walls, and insulation is considered a bio-hazard, because it can harm human and animal life. It is a known cause of asthma, fatigue, and cold symptoms like runny noses, headaches and worse.

If you suspect that your home air quality is not where it should be, or even notice some of the signs of poor air quality, or know that outdoor air is entering the home uninhibited, its time to call in a professional! Akron Home Insulators provides free inspections and quotes to those in the Akron Ohio area. Give us a call today at 330-946-6720 or you can send us a message with your insulation concerns to get scheduled for your free quote.

Insulation is in our DNA and clean air is our goal, let Akron Home Insulators help you to breath easier this year and for many more!

Updating Your Insulation: Simple Steps to Save the Environment

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:12:42 GMT

Fighting climate change begins in the home

If you're looking for a simple and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight climate change, look no further than your own home.

By updating your home's insulation, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Insulation technology has come a long way, and most older insulation (20-30 years) is going to begin to lose its effectiveness due to age related damage. Newly made and updated insulations are focused on conserving energy, reducing waste, and reduced carbon emissions in the creation process.

Here are just a few ways that updating your home's insulation can help to save the environment:

Reduced Energy Consumption

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow, helping to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By improving your insulation, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, which in turn reduces your energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Lowered Carbon Footprint

Reducing your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is a simple and effective way to lower your carbon footprint. By updating your home's insulation, you can take a significant step towards reducing your impact on the environment.

Improved Air Quality

Insulation can also help to improve the air quality in your home. By reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home, you can also reduce the amount of pollutants and allergens that enter your home. This can be especially important for those with respiratory issues or allergies.

Cost Savings

In addition to its environmental benefits, updating your home's insulation can also save you money on your energy bills. By reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, you can lower your monthly energy bills and save money in the long run.

Overall

Updating your home's insulation is a simple and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and improve your home's energy efficiency. So why not make the switch today? Call 330-946-6720 to schedule a free estimate today!

We offer many insulation types, all of which will cut down on energy use. If you're interested in these products, visit our Services page to see all that we offer and dive deeper into each type of insulation.

Akron, Ohio's Historical Role in the Evolution of Insulation

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:15:44 GMT

Insulation has come a long way since its beginnings, and Akron OH helped pave the way!

Akron, Ohio's historical role in the evolution of insulation

Insulation has been an essential part of human habitation since the dawn of time. From the earliest days of human civilization, people have been using different materials to keep their homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Over the centuries, insulation has evolved from simple animal hides and grasses to sophisticated materials like fiberglass and spray foam.

In this blog post, we'll take a look at the fascinating history of insulation pertaining to Akron, OH and how it has changed over time. From ancient times to modern day, insulation has helped us to create more comfortable and energy-efficient homes, even before we knew what energy efficiency was. So, sit back and join us on a journey through Akron's history of insulation!

Akron, Ohio has a rich history when it comes to insulation. In the early 1900s, asbestos was the primary insulation material used in Akron's numerous factories and industrial buildings, it was easily sourced from naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. However, as the dangers of asbestos became more widely known, alternative materials were sought. In the 1920s, mineral wool became a popular choice for insulation in Akron. This material was made from natural rock or slag that was super-heated and spun into fibers, and was found to have no negative health concerns. In the 1930s, fiberglass insulation was introduced using similar methods to mineral wool, but changing the source material to glass, and it quickly became the most common type of insulation used in Akron and across the country. It's highly affordable and does a good enough job of insulating in most situations.

The growing city of Akron played a crucial role in the development of insulation technology. Owens Corning, a company based in Akron, was one of the first to mass produce fiberglass insulation in the 1930s. This breakthrough in insulation technology revolutionized the industry and paved the way for more advanced insulation materials.

Today, Akron continues to evolve its insulation practices, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. With the growing concern for managing our resources and reducing our footprint, insulation has become an essential component in achieving this goal. The use of recycled materials and Eco-friendly insulation options is becoming more prevalent, as Akron works to reduce its footprint and promote a sustainable environment.

In conclusion, insulation has come a long way since its inception, and its role in our lives has evolved significantly. From keeping our homes warm in the past to preserving our resources in the present, insulation has become an essential component in achieving a more sustainable future. Akron's contribution to insulation technology cannot be overlooked, and its impact on our daily lives will continue to be felt for generations to come.

If you are interested in Fiberglass insulation or want to know your options for insulation in Akron, we specialize in spray foam insulation and offer many other varieties, ensuring that you get the best option for your budget, building, and occupants. Visit our home page and have a gander or call 330-946-6720 to speak with a local representative.

Four Reasons Why We Love Spray Foam Insulation

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 13:30:34 GMT

Valentine's day love is in the air...Here is why we LOVE spray foam insulation

The benefits that spray foam insulation provides for Akron, OH

Energy efficiency is all the rage, Ohio business' want to have less overhead and Akron homeowners are looking for ways to pinch pennies and stretch their money further. One effective method of saving energy is to upgrade your home or business insulation with spray foam insulation. Its a wonderful solution that solves many problems! It is ideal for keeping air temperature stable, regardless of the weather. Keep reading to learn about four reasons to upgrade to spray foam insulation in Akron, OH.

Its a better performing insulation

Spray foam insulation has superb insulation capabilities, at a whopping 5.5 average R-value per inch of closed cell foam (some brands boast 6.5!) and 3.5 per inch of open cell foam (open cell expands to about 3 inches after application). All spray foams create an air tight seal because they are applied continuously and expand to fill any and all gaps. Closed cell spray foam additionally will block water and vapors, its great when used in basements and outward facing walls for this reason!

Decreased gas/electricity usage

How does a reduction on energy bills sound? Too good to be true? Not with spray foam insulation! One of the most beneficial effects of having spray foam insulation installed is that it will reduce your overall energy use. When the heater doesn't have to work as hard to keep up with inclement weather, it costs less. Its that simple! Spray foam insulation does such as good job of stabilizing the temperature that it'll save money and begin paying for itself immediately.

Improve the quality of the air you breathe

We mentioned the air tight seal that spray foam insulation creates, this has a two fold effect. Because it stops outside air from entering the home, everyone inside will breathe easier. Less allergens, pollen, and irritants entering the home means less stuffy noses and Kleenex. Those with asthma and other lung conditions will have an easier time breathing in a home that has spray foam insulation installed.

Lastly, Spray foam insulation increases property value

Forward-thinking individuals know that increasing their Ohio property value pays off in the long run. We have mentioned in other blogs (you're reading them right??) that home buyers are willing to spend more on a home with a well-insulated attic, than it costs to insulate the attic in the first place! Not only will your Akron family enjoy the savings while they occupy the dwelling, they get that cost back and more after moving! Having spray foam insulation installed by a professional like Akron Home Insulators will increase your property value, more than the cost of spray foam. Its double prizes and a great investment for the frugal homeowner.

Have questions? Want to learn more or schedule your consult? Call Akron Home Insulators at 330-946-6720 or send us a message at anytime!

Air Sealing - Do you use it?

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:40:33 GMT

A good read about air sealing your home

Does your house have a draft? Can you see light around your door jam or does a particular room in your home always feel cold? You could have an air sealing issue. When cold air from outside is able to infiltrate into the home, its due to a combination of poor air sealing and/or insufficient insulation, and its one of the most easy ways to make your home more energy efficient and stay warmer.

It starts with detection and a visual inspection of the home. Often first noticed by the homeowner, are little crevices next to a vent, or caulking that has cracked and warped away from a surface, maybe light showing in-between a door frame, or even a cold feeling when placing your hand near a spot on the wall. Walk around the outside to find potential leaks and then inside in the same areas, check pipes, vents, and any other opening where two materials meet.

Further detection can be done by a technician specialized in conducting a blower door test. This test will depressurize the home, inviting in more air from the leaks for better detection. There is no version of a DIY blower door test, this will need to be done by a qualified individual, but there are some methods that homeowners can use to detect where air is entering their home. We will cover these in a bit.

The technician is going to determine how many air changes per hour are happening in your home at a specified pressure. An air change per hour, is how many times the entire volume of air in a home is replaced, per hour. If all of the air in your home is being replaced, many times per day, you can imagine how much heat and energy is lost. Air also contains moisture, much more than what is diffused into the home naturally. Air rushing into the home through cracks will bring mold growth, moisture damage, and let bugs and debris into your home via the openings.

If this is not an option for you, maybe because its winter and you don't want to invite all of this cold air into your home with testing, you can use a few methods to detect where air may be entering. The smoke from a stick of incense held steadily near walls, windows, and doorways will give visual clues if an air leak is present. You can also dampen your hand and hold near the wall, window sills, vents, pipes, and anything else leading to the outside, to feel for cold air entering.

OK, that was a lot, and now you know how to find air leaks, but how do we seal them? Air sealing can be done with a variety of methods and combined together for maximum performance. Your home insulation is a type of air sealing, as well as the walls and floors, because anything that prevents more air from entering the home is an air seal, and you can use as many methods as it takes. This can be caulking around vents, new weatherstripping around door jams, sealing a hole with spray foam, and even some types of tape are used to air seal a room. All of these work to do the same thing, get in the way of cold air entering the home.

Spray foam is hands down, one of the best ways to air seal an existing room with cold spots. For example, at my home, there was a spot under a window in my office that was radiating cold air, it was a solid wall with no visible cracks inside or outside, but something was letting in cold air. Drilling just a few small holes that are easily patched, using a special vacuum attached to collect debris, and then injecting spray foam took the care of the entire problem. My office is nice and warm again and the wall is thoroughly air sealed.
If you've never considered air sealing, do your own visual inspection! Check the house frame and openings with a stick of incense, find out if its something your house will benefit from. Chances are your home will thank you!

Give Akron Home Insulators a call today at 330-946-6720, or Visit Akron Home Insulators online. We look forward to saving you money!

Additionally - The US Government has doubled the yearly tax credit for energy efficient upgrades and air sealing your home is on the list! Get up to 30% of project cost back, up to $1200 a year. See this section for more information

How much does proper insulation really save you?

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:41:08 GMT

Do we think upgrading your home insulation is worth it? Absolutely!

As the saying goes, "time is money", but we’d say energy is money. The amount of money you can save on your monthly energy bills varies, but many homeowners tell us they have saved anywhere between 30 to 50 percent on home energy bills after their entire home was insulated and optimized. Every bit that you save on heating and cooling costs adds up, but there's much more to think about. Autumn brings all sorts of awesome - colorful foliage, festive holidays, the first cozy snowfall. But one feature that’s not so fun? Increased energy bills as the temps cool down and the thermostat gets cranked up.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that in 2015, 55% of your home’s energy bill was spent on heating and cooling! That is a lot of money that is potentially being wasted in a drafty home. One of the main reasons your energy bills increase during the winter months is because your home does not have proper insulation. Additionally, a well-insulated home is a foolproof way to keep your power bills reasonable and an energy-efficient home is better for the environment, everybody wins! So how does home insulation reduce energy bills? Let’s have a look...

Here is a modest example, taking a 1,200 square foot home at $151 per month, you’d pay $1,812.00 on your electricity bill annually. With the 20% savings applied (the average according to the U.S. Dept of Energy), you only pay $1,549.60 for the year. That’s a total saving of $362.40 per year. That is real money, not to mention the summer savings on your electric bill!

Insulating your attic might not be the sexiest home renovation project around, but it’s probably one of the most practical home improvements you can make. Would you just look at it: Every ounce of insulation you add pays off by decreasing the amount of heat that escapes through the attic, thus putting money back into your wallet instead of heating the entire neighborhood (looking at you here, Dads). This also pays off during the summer months, keeping those dollars in your wallet, and the cool air inside your home lowering your air-conditioning costs.

Are there other reasons to insulate? Absolutely! You will have cleaner air, meaning less allergens, sneezing, and stuffy noses. Studies have shown that sealed and insulated attics reduce pollen and dust sources into the home. You’ll breathe easier inside your house, especially during allergy season. You will also experience fewer temperature swings in the home. Insulation helps remarkably to reduce extreme hot or extreme cold temperatures on the upper surface of homes, resulting in more comfortable living spaces.

What about your return on investment beyond the energy savings? There’s also resale value to consider. When the time comes and you want to sell your home, you can tout your newly insulated attic and command a better price. In fact, experts at Realtor.com have found that buyers are willing to shell out an extra $1500 for a home with an insulated attic . Compared with the average cost of insulating—$1,343—that’s a 107.7% return on your investment! That does not even take into account the energy savings.

The proof is in the pudding! Hiring a professional insulation company is truly the most practical improvement you can make to your house for your pocketbook, health, resale value, and the preservation of your home. The fact of the matter is that this is one of the few home improvement projects you can accomplish and expect immediate money back in your pocket while all but guaranteeing a fantastic return on your investment. It literally pays for itself!

Give Akron Home Insulators a call today at 330-946-6720, or Visit Akron Home Insulators online. We look forward to saving you money!