Posts

How Do You Choose the Right Insulation for Your Home?

Regardless of whether you want to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer, you need to install the right insulation in your home. Insulation is important because it can help you reduce your energy bills. If you install the right insulation in your home, fix leaks quickly, and invest in routine maintenance, you can save a lot of money on your energy bills.

At the same time, how do you choose the right insulation for your home? There are a few important points to keep in mind.

Factors To Consider

If you want to install insulation in your home, there are a number of factors you need to consider. They include:

  • Location: Where in your home do you plan on installing the insulation? For example, the type of insulation you install in your attic might not be the same as the type of insulation you install in another area of your house.
  • R-Value: You also need to think about the desired R-value. This value will let you know how well the insulation will prevent heat or air conditioning from leaving your home. The desired R-value may change depending on where you live and the part of your home that is receiving the insulation.
  • Your Budget: Of course, you need to think about your budget as well. How much money are you willing to spend on insulation?

With these factors in mind, there are several types of insulation you need to know about.

Types of Insulation

There are several types of insulation you may want to install in your home. They include:

  • Rolls and Batts: When people think about classic insulation, this is generally what they envision. This is a cost-effective option for insulation, and it is easy to install. On the other hand, you do need to measure it carefully because you do not want to leave any gaps in your home.
  • Cellulose: You might also be interested in cellulose, which can be a great option for getting around wiring, joists, and filling wall cavities. On the other hand, it is a bit challenging to install, so it is best left to a professional.
  • Rigid Foam: Rigid foam is an effective insulation option for foundations, attic ceilings, and flat roofs. At the same time, it can be difficult to install if you need to maneuver it around pipes and other obstacles.

These are just a few of the many insulation options from which to choose, so be sure to work with an expert who can help you find the right insulation for your home.

Call King Insulation for All of Your Insulation Needs

If you are looking for help with insulation in your home, look no further than King Insulation. We have a tremendous amount of experience working with a wide variety of homeowners, and we can help you find the right insulation for your home as well. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let us help you insulate your home.

Why You Should Consider Cellulose Insulation for Your Home

Are you looking for a way to reduce your utility bills? If so, you should consider installing some cellulose insulation. There are plenty of choices available if you are looking for insulation for your home, but there are a number of significant advantages that cellulose will provide. What do you need to know about cellulose installation, and why should you consider installing it in your home? If you want to get as much use out of your cellulose insulation as possible, reach out to experts who can help you.

It Impedes the Transfer of Energy

One of the first reasons why you should go with cellulose insulation is that it impedes the transfer of energy. What this means is that it will keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you have your heater going, you need something in between the heat and your home and the cold air outside. Cellulose insulation performs this function beautifully, which means that you should be able to keep your utility bills relatively low even when the temperature drops outside.

It Adds Fire Resistance

The next reason why cellulose insulation is a good choice is that it will add an extra layer of fire resistance to your home. Because cellulose is relatively dense, it will prevent the flames from spreading to other areas in your home, giving you a chance to escape in the event of a fire. It can also limit fire damage if a fire breaks out in your home, helping you save money. If you want to increase fire resistance in your home, consider going with cellulose insulation.

It Can Dampen the Noise in the Local Area

Finally, you do not want to disturb your neighbors, and that is another reason why you should go with cellulose insulation. Cellulose can significantly reduce the level of noise in your home, making sure that you keep your party, home theater, or musical instruments confined to your home. This is another benefit afforded by the density of cellulose insulation. At the same time, if you want to maximize the sound dampening capabilities of cellulose, you must partner with an expert who can help you. Our team can help you figure out how to maximize the benefits of cellulose.

Call King Insulation To Find the Right Insulation for Your Home

Clearly, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider installing cellulose insulation in your home, but you need to work with experts who can help you make sure you keep your utility bills as low as possible. We are King Insulation, and we have a significant amount of experience working with homeowners of all backgrounds. It would be our pleasure to help you devise ways to keep your utility bills as low as possible, particularly in the middle of the winter. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team, and learn more about how we can help you.

Improving Your Energy Efficiency In The Winter

With the temperature beginning to drop outside, you might be looking for ways to save money on your utility bills. Even though you need to be comfortable in your home, you don’t want to spend it an excessive amount of money on heat. If you want to make sure you are cozy and comfortable in your home this winter, take a look at a few of the most important tips you should follow to maximize your energy efficiency, winterize your home, and save money on heat.

Check Your Doors and Windows

First, you need to check your windows and doors to make sure the seals are in good condition. It is entirely possible that you could have heat escaping your house in between your doors and windows and their respective frames. You do not want this to happen, as it can drive up your energy bills exponentially. If you can feel a draft near your doors and windows, this is something that you need to address as quickly as possible.

Close the Foundation Vents

You should also check your foundation vents to make sure they are closed. When the temperature begins to drop outside, close the foundation vents. Ideally, you should close them in the fall and open them again in the spring; however, you probably don’t think about them every day. Therefore, you may have overlooked this important task. Check your foundation vents to make sure they are already closed.

Get Your Heating System Inspected

If you want to reduce your energy bills, you need to make sure your heating system runs efficiently. The harder your heating system has to work to keep your home at the right temperature, the more expensive your heating bills are going to be. For example, it might be time for you to change your filters, which can significantly increase the efficiency of your heater. Call a professional team that can take a look at your HVAC unit and make sure it is working properly.

Ensure Your Insulation Is Intact

Finally, you should take a look at the insulation for your walls and attic to make sure it is intact. If your home is not properly insulated, you are going to lose a lot of heat through your attic and walls. Heat rises, so if you don’t have enough attic insulation, all of the heat is going to escape. You must make sure you invest in proper insulation throughout your home to keep the heat where it should be. If you are looking for a professional team that can help you install your insulation, it would be our pleasure to assist you.

Call King Insulation for Help Winterizing Your Home

You need to make sure your home is properly winterized if you want to keep your utility bills as low as possible. We are King Insulation, and it would be our pleasure to inspect your house to make sure you are ready for the winter. Our team can help you figure out the right insulation for your home, so contact us today to schedule an appointment! We look forward to working with you.

How Important Is Wall Insulation?

There are a lot of people who have gone up into the attic and seen a bunch of fluffy stuff that looks like foam. That is attic insulation, and it can help you keep your utility bills low. At the same time, do you need to add insulation to your walls? There are several significant reasons why you should consider adding insulation to your walls, and you should make sure to reach out to a professional who can help you make sure your insulation is installed properly.

Protect Your Home Against Moisture

If you add insulation to your walls, you can protect the structure against moisture. You may not realize just how much moisture flows through your home every day. Every time you shower, turn on a faucet, or cook a meal, moisture can get in the gaps between your walls. Moisture and warmth are the two ingredients that are required for mold to grow and develop. In the winter, this moisture can even freeze inside your walls, causing them to crack. Then, when the ice melts, it can cause stains all over your house. If you want to protect your walls against moisture, you should consider insulating them.

Reduce the Noise in Your Home

Another reason why you need to add insulation to your walls is that it can help you reduce the noise in your home. Do you have a difficult time sleeping at night because someone else in the home is watching TV? Are you upset because there are dogs barking loudly in the middle of the night? If you insulate your walls, you can reduce the amount of noise coming through them. Regardless of the type of insulation you use, the material should act as a sound dampener. That way, you can keep unwanted noise out of your home and your room. Insulation can make a significant difference in the amount of noise that comes through your house.

Increase Your Energy Efficiency

Finally, perhaps the biggest reason why you should add insulation to your walls is that you can significantly increase the energy efficiency of your home. Just as attic insulation helps you increase your energy efficiency, wall insulation can do the same thing. You can prevent the movement of heat and cold between your structure and the exterior, helping you keep your energy bills lower. If you install the right insulation in your home, you will not have to run your HVAC unit as often, which can help you save a significant amount of money. Therefore, you should consider insulating the walls in your home.

Work With King Insulation To Insulate Your Walls Properly

If you are looking for help insulating your walls, you need to work with a professional team that can help you. We are King Insulation, and it would be our pleasure to help you find the right insulation for your home. We can take a look at your walls, identify areas that should be insulated, and take care of the process for you. If you want to maximize the benefits of wall insulation, contact us today to speak to our team!

What Is Blown In Insulation?

Blown in insulation is a way of spraying insulation in the gaps between the walls, attics, and floors. This type of insulation is also referred to as blow in insulation. Typically an electric blower is used to handle this type of work. There are different methods used based on the particular type of insulation being applied to the area. Blown in insulation is an ideal way to add insulation to an existing structure because it is non-invasive. The alternative to this is to rip out the drywall, install fiberglass insulation, and then replace the drywall.

Should Your Structure Have Blown In Insulation?

If you only want to add insulation to an existing structure, then blown in insulation is your best option. It has less settling and a higher grade of performance over time. There are no added complications with blown in insulation. It creates a solid barrier between the walls of your house and the outside. If you are planning a remodel that requires you to remove old drywall, then this may not be the best insulation option.

Different Types of Blown In Insulation

The two different types of blown in insulation are cellulose and fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation is constructed of sand or glass. Cellulose, on the other hand, is constructed from recycled newspaper that is treated with chemicals that are fire-resistant. While both types have similar R values, the cellulose option settles more, decreasing the overall R-value.

Benefits of Blown In Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is easily applied with a blower. It is ideal for attics and inside walls. This type of insulation does not absorb moisture and is able to resist mold and rot, which other types of insulation may call the victim. Other types of insulation take a significant amount of time to dry once wet. The inability to dry is what makes them more susceptible to mold.

How Blown In Insulation Works in Walls and Attics

A small hole is made in the wall close to the ceiling. Another gap is made close to the floor. Any extra holes that are needed are about 16 inches apart. Insulation is forced into the holes in the wall by a blowing machine. The insulation is pushed through the holes and fills up all the space. A professional like King Insulation knows where wire and other blockers are located and works around them to get the best insulation results possible. The holes are covered with a plastic plug which is painted to create a seamless look.

When it comes to attics, all air leaks are sealed, especially around pipes and wires. All vent chutes are repaired or added as needed. The areas around the attic are insulated and sealed to prevent insulation from coming through the hatch in the attic.

Why Choose King Insulation

King Insulation has been meeting the insulation needs of Arizona for over 30 years. No matter what your insulation needs are, King Insulation has you covered. They have decades of experience in energy-saving insulation. Contact them today to find out more about blown in insulation.

Building Envelope: How Insulation Can Strengthen Your Home

Many homeowners give little thought to what goes on inside their home’s structure, as what we don’t know about can’t hurt us, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. What’s known in the industry as a ‘building envelope’ is everything that separates the internal environment of your home from the external environment of the outside world. It envelops your home, if you will. Understanding the role of a building envelope and how you can enhance it means being able to strengthen your home’s protective barrier, producing a safer and more energy-efficient environment for you and your family.

What is a building envelope?

Learning more about this important component of your home’s structure can help you improve your quality of life in various ways. If you want a stronger, more durable home, reduced energy bills, reduced noise levels and more, keep reading. Building envelopes control the climate inside your home, protecting your household from temperature fluctuations, besides being crucial to your home’s structural integrity. If you’re looking to renovate your house or create a loft conversion, for example, it might be necessary to reinforce your building envelope, as it improves how well your house can handle external forces and weight.

Reinforcing your building envelope

As mentioned, reinforcing your building envelope can help you cut down on energy costs by helping your home retain heat in the winter and keep it outside in summer, taking pressure away from your HVAC system. Not only that, but it can strengthen the structure of your house, adding years to its lifespan and providing a superior foundation for renovation projects. The best and most cost-effective way to improve your building envelope is through insulation, as the two work together to provide excellent insulation, prevent air leakages and bolster your home’s structure.

How insulation supports your building envelope

Expertly installed, high-quality insulation is the difference between an efficient and strong building envelope and a quickly deteriorating one. A weak building envelope can not only cost you a small fortune in energy bills, but it can actually impact the health of your household due to air leakage and temperature changes. Investing in insulation to empower your building envelope will actually save you money in the mid-to long-term, not to mention making your home quieter, safer and stronger. Because insulation reduces the rate at which heat enters and exits your home, it can minimize energy transfer throughout the entire structure.

How to get the best insulation

Because insulation is out of sight and typically out of mind for those who don’t understand its importance, many insulation providers use cheap, ineffective materials. King Insulation has been in the business for over 4 decades, and it’s no surprise why. We offer free home estimates to figure out exactly what you need, then we get to work using the highest quality insulation materials and modern installation techniques. There’s a reason we’re industry leaders. Call one of our helpful advisors to schedule a free evaluation today.

How To Tell If Your Insulation Is Good

Is your house too hot in summer or chilly in winter? You might have an insulation problem! How do you know if your insulation is no good? Professionals use what’s known as R-value to determine if there’s enough insulation in an attic. But you can get an idea of your insulation’s R-value before you call in the pros.

You’ll need a few things, including a headlamp so that your hands are free to measure the depth of the insulation, a tape measure, and a respirator mask, which protects your lungs from insulation particles. Once in your attic, it’s important that you only step on 2x4s. Otherwise, you could go right through the drywall into the room beneath you!

It’s easier to measure the depth of your insulation if it’s at a relatively uniform height. Unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. If your insulation is flatter in some places and mounded in others, you’ll need to take multiple measurements and average them out by adding the heights and dividing by the number of measurements.

Determining R-Value

Once you have that measurement, it’s time to calculate the R-value. This number depends on the type of insulation in your attic.

  • Blown Fiberglass – multiple the depth by 2.5
  • Blown Cellulose – multiple the depth by 3.4
  • Fiberglass Batts – multiple the depth by 1.25

If you’re unsure what kind of insulation you have, the following descriptions can help.

Do you think of insulation as pink? Then you’re imagining fiberglass, but that’s not the only color this insulation comes in. Batting can also be yellow, black, blue, brown, green, or white. Fiberglass batting is rolled into place and looks more fibrous, while blown fiberglass is a bit fluffier and looser. Blown fiberglass is also commonly white.

Cellulose is basically cut-up newspaper and has a chunkier and denser appearance than fiberglass. Because of its source, cellulose insulation is gray, but you may notice some colored pieces in the insulation.

Ideal R-values for Attic Insulation

Once you determine the type of insulating in your attic, you can do the calculations to reveal the R-value. But what is a good R-value? It varies depending on the climate in which you live, so you have to be careful that you’re not reading R-values for a different location. Fortunately, the Department of Energy has maps and charts describing the ideal R-values based on climate and where the insulation is used in a building.

In most of Arizona, an R-value between R-38 and R-60 is preferable for attics. However, in the very northwest and southeast parts of the state, an R-value as low as R30 might be fine. Finally, the southwest part of the state has an R-value range of R30 to R49, and you don’t want too much insulation in your attic.

Your insulation is good if it stays within those R-values. However, if it’s much lower than those R-values, your insulation isn’t working as hard as you want it! Then, it’s time to call in the professionals like those like King Insulation to get your insulation up to spec, so your home will be more comfortable!

Can Attic Insulation Prevent Pests?

Because of the weather in the local area, you probably deal with pests from time to time. If you feel like you have a lot of pests in your attic, you might be wondering how to get rid of them. One option could be to install better attic insulation. Not every home comes with the insulation necessary to prevent these critters from invading your home. What do you need to know about this problem, and how can attic insulation help you?

Why Do Pests Like the Attic?

There are several reasons why you probably have a few pests in your attic. First, foot traffic is significantly lower than it is in other areas of the home. Just as you don’t like pests, they don’t like you. They tend to hide where the people aren’t.

In addition, there are a lot of great hiding spaces for pests. For example, you might spot them living in storage areas and cardboard boxes. It is also very easy for pests to find sources of food. If something is left in the attic, it is probably going to be there for a while. Therefore, it is easy for pests to survive.

What Types of Pests Live in the Attic?

There are several different types of pests you might spot living in your attic. For example, it is not unusual to see silverfish, termites, crickets, beetles, hands, and cockroaches in the Attic. It is critical for you to deal with these critters as quickly as possible. Even though they are incredibly annoying, they can also be hazardous to the structure of your home. For example, silverfish are known to destroy documents and photo albums. Termites are known to destroy your home. They can also be hazardous to your health, particularly those with chronic respiratory issues.

How To Use Attic Insulation To Keep Them Away

Standard installation is not enough to keep the critters out of your home. Instead, it is important for you to use something called TAP insulation. This stands for thermal, acoustic, pest control in insulation. It is strong insulation, so you do not need to worry about it driving up utility bills. In fact, you might be able to save money on your regular utility expenses. Because this insulation is also able to keep out pests, you might be able to save money on home repair bills as well.

Call King Insulation for All of Your Insulation Needs

If you are looking for a way to effectively deal with pests in your home, you need to rely on a professional who can help you. At King Insulation, we have the training and experience necessary to help you improve your insulation. We can help you save money on your utility bills while also keeping annoying pests out of the home. To learn more about the different types of insulation we have available, give us a call today! It would be our honor to help you with your insulation needs.

Home Remodeling and New Insulation: A Sensible Combination

A home remodeling job usually constitutes a major project. As thrilling as it may be to give your residence a whole new look, you’ve got to consider the health and wellness of the older, original structures as well. So does that mean you should re-insulate your home as you remodel? Let’s look at some reasons you should.

Timely Repair and Replacement

It should go without saying that any new addition to your home will need a certain amount of wall and ceiling insulation. However, that new insulation won’t perform as well as it should if it has to work alongside old, deteriorated insulation. Pests and moisture can cause insulation to lose its efficiency over time. In fact, 65 percent of American homes never receive sufficient insulation to begin with! You might as well make sure that all your insulation offers the same degree of thermal protection while you’re going to all the trouble to make your other home improvements.

Better Air Quality in Your Newly-Remodeled Home

The same mold and moisture that damages insulation can also introduce spores and bacteria into the air that circulates through your home, potentially making you or your loved ones sick and/or triggering allergy attacks. By installing fresh insulation during your remodel, you can help to ensure a higher standard of indoor air quality for occupants. At the same time, your technicians can address little air gaps and leaks that have been letting pollen and dust into your home. By caulking or otherwise sealing these gaps, your insulation team will also boost your residence’s energy efficiency.

One Project Instead of Two

As noted above, sooner or later your original insulation will need repair, augmentation, or replacement. When that day arrives, your insulation technicians may need to open up walls and other enclosed structures to access the insulation. Noise, dust, and debris commonly accompany these actions, so you might as well incorporate them into the chaos of your current remodeling project. You’ll also save on both labor costs and overall labor time by rolling these two significant renovation jobs into one.

Better Energy Efficiency for Better ROI

Most home remodeling jobs can rack up quite a bill, from the skilled construction and tradesperson labor to materials and cleanup costs. Anything you can do during the remodel that boosts your home’s energy efficiency could help absorb some of those costs in the long run by reducing your utility bills, especially during the long, brutal Phoenix summers. This job could prove the perfect opportunity to request an energy audit to see whether your home’s insulation can stand some improvement. You’ll end up with, not just a more beautiful and comfortable home, but also a more cost-effective one.

If you’re planning on remodeling your Phoenix-area home, and you haven’t upgraded or even thought about the state of your insulation lately, contact King Insulation today. Our skilled installers will be happy to evaluate your insulation and make sure your remodel incorporates any smart improvements that enhance your overall results.

 

Energy Conservation vs. Energy Efficiency

Various natural and artificial elements produce multiple forms of energy. Therefore, the components are helpful in many circumstances and have many uses. Additionally, natural or manufactured resources are abundant or sparse, dangerous or non-hazardous, renewable or non-renewable.

The confusion between conserving energy and maintaining power productivity is common. Some individuals even believe that both are interchangeable and provide the same benefits. However, they serve contrasting purposes, although they include qualities that significantly benefit homeowners, businesses, and the environment.

What to Know About Saving and Reducing Energy Use

Whether you invest in low-voltage products or use your heavy-duty appliances frequently, you can significantly reduce power consumption at home or in the office.

While energy conservation and energy efficiency have a few similarities, not everyone knows the differences. At King Insulation in Phoenix, Arizona, we understand the confusion between both methods and can help you determine their significance and cost-effective advantages.

What Is Energy Conservation?

Energy conservation is saving energy by decreasing your use of power-hungry electronics.  In other words, driving your car only a few days per week and setting your computer to sleep mode are two examples.

A few other instances of conservation include:

Setting the refrigerator temperature to 37-40 degrees F.

Air-drying laundry on a clothesline.

Changing heating system filters.

What is Energy Efficiency?

Energy efficiency is a practical technique for lowering power consumption. While it involves energy-saving methods, it maintains a similar service level. For example, if you turn off a few or all of your lights, you’re practicing energy conservation.

Here are a few ways to increase efficiency:

Replacing appliances that are at least ten years old.

Insulating water heater and pipes.

Installing LED bulbs that produce 90% substantial light.

How Do I Benefit From Energy Waste Prevention?

Homeowners and businesses can preserve their electronics and appliances by preventing energy waste issues. While power is essential for individuals to survive in local and rural areas, it still should be used when needed rather than excessively.

Here are three reasons why saving and improving energy is vital for your home:

1. Reduces Living Expenses

Saving energy usually reduces living expenses. Additionally, most equipment can exceed its life expectancy if used for one hour or only a few days per week.

2. Lowers Utility Bills

As a home or business owner, energy costs can affect your recurring monthly expenses, increasing your bill by hundreds of dollars per month. Reducing energy consumption without sacrificing quality is an excellent way to save money.

3. Provides an Eco-Friendly Alternative

The less energy you use, the more beneficial your power-saving approaches can be to the environment, human health, and the ozone. Therefore, you can effectively track your energy consumption habits by using your appliances and other electronics less frequently.

Get a Certified Energy Audit in Phoenix, Arizona!

King Insulation will provide you with a free consultation to assess your energy-saving needs. We offer various insulation types for your comfort and help keep your utility bill low. Contact us today to receive a direct service quote and schedule an appointment.