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Where Is My Home Losing The Most Energy?

Common Threats to Residential Energy Efficiency

When you live in an area subject to extreme temperatures (like Phoenix), every ounce of energy efficiency counts. Weakness in your home’s energy efficiency can cost you dearly, especially as temperatures rise and your HVAC system struggles to keep up. If you feel like you’re burning more energy than you should just to stay comfortable, check out these leading causes of energy loss in homes.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors represent the most common causes of excess energy loss. An estimated one-fifth of the air that passes through your home does so through either the windows and doors themselves or through leaks and gaps around their frames. If an energy audit confirms this leakage, skilled professionals can seal any detected gaps. You may also want to replace your old doors and windows with ENERGY STAR certified products designed to provide superior thermal insulation. Simply replacing inefficient windows with ENERGY STAR windows can reduce your energy costs by 12 percent.

Frame Walls

Homes that feature wood frame walls face certain vulnerabilities to energy loss in the form of air leakage or conductive heat transfer, also referred to as thermal bridging. Research conducted by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) indicates that the worst leakage in these walls include the wall-to-foundation joints, wall-to-roof joints, and horizontal OSB joints. If you’re losing air through these joints, your frame walls may need more or better internal insulation. A professional energy audit can confirm and pinpoint these hidden issues.

Ceilings

Some of your home’s energy may leak through the ceiling and up into the attic. This problem points to a lack of insulation in the floor joists and any open space between the ceiling and attic. If you have a cathedral ceiling that leaks energy, you may need to add insulation between the ceiling and the roof deck.

Attics

Attics may trap the energy lost through ceilings, growing insufferably hot and placing challenges on your air conditioner. If your attic traps heat energy despite reasonable ceiling insulation, it’s time to apply some additional insulation to the attic floor. You may also need to invest in insulation baffles for the roof.

HVAC Ducts

Your HVAC system couldn’t heat or cool your home effectively without the ducts that feed treated air to the various vents. If these ducts develop leaks due to improper installation or natural wear and tear, warm enter can enter this normally closed loop. This extra heat energy undercuts the air conditioning’s efficiency. At the same time, cooled air drifts out through the leaks instead of being directed to the living spaces of your home. Either problem forces you to crank up the system just to stay comfortable. You can solve this problem through duct repairs and/or adding insulation around the ducts.

If you can’t find or fix the source of your home’s energy leakage despite your own best efforts, contact King Insulation. Our experts can perform a thorough energy audit of your residence, locate the trouble spots, and provide top-quality insulation services to increase your comfort and reduce your utility bills.

Where Are Homes Losing The Most Energy?

Homeowners pay extra in heating bills every year due to heat loss in their homes. Therefore, it is essential to learn about the areas where your home is most likely losing heat and develop a solution to reduce the heat loss. One of the best ways to determine which areas of your home are causing significant heat loss is by having an expert come out and do an energy audit on your home.

Cracks in the windows, walls, and doors

The most common way your home loses heat is through cracks in your doors, windows, and walls. The best way to fight heat loss through cracks is by filling the gaps and using weather stripping around the windows and doors. It is important to note that the effect of weather stripping goes away over time, so it must be replaced every few years.

Basement walls and floors

If you have an unfinished basement, you are losing a significant amount of heat through the walls. The best way to correct this is by finishing the basement and insulating the walls with high-quality insulation. If the cost of completing the basement is too high, then you can reduce heat loss in an unfinished basement with blanket batts and rolls or foam board. While the walls in the basement are more likely to be a significant source of heat loss, the floors may also be a contributing factor. By installing a carpet or tile over the cement floors, you will help alleviate the heat loss in the basement.

Framed walls

Another common source of heat loss is through the framed walls. Many people assume that the framed walls are well insulated, but that may not be the case. It is best to bring out an expert to make this determination. If your home is not well insulated in the framed walls, you can have additional insulation blown in and avoid a major renovation.

Windows

Windows can be another source of extreme heat loss in your home. If your windows are older and it is time for a replacement, you will want to invest in Energy Star-rated windows. If you are not ready to replace the windows, adding storm windows can help reduce heat loss until you are prepared to replace the windows.

The attic

If you have an attic, there is a good chance your home is losing heat through the ceiling. Therefore, it is critical to have a well-insulated attic. The experts at King Insulation would be happy to evaluate the attic and recommend improvements to the insulation.

Doors

Similar to windows, if the doors in your home are older, they are most likely a significant source of heat loss. When replacing your doors, be sure to pick an Energy Star rated door. Try to avoid glass doors to the extent possible as they are not well insulated.

If you are interested in learning more about your home heat loss solutions, reach out to an expert at King Insulation today for a free consultation.

 

Upgrading Your Insulation? Don’t DIY It!

We are prominent believers in the DIY mindset. Learning how to do something so that you can do it time and again is an invaluable skill. With that being said, certain projects may lend themselves better to professional assistance rather than the DIY mindset. If you live in Phoenix or any of the surrounding areas, you are likely well aware of the wild shift in temperatures that the seasons can bring. From scorching heat to cool winter nights, you’ll want to ensure your home’s protection through the installation of high-quality insulation.

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of insulation as well as why it’s a job better reserved for the professional technicians at King Insulation.

Insulation Removal: Potential Dangers

In order to attain the most possible benefit from your new insulation, you will have to remove your old materials. Unfortunately, most everyday homeowners are not prepared nor qualified to safely remove the old insulation from their property. Older insulation can be beholden to rat droppings, asbestos, and even mold and moisture problems — an issue not usually covered by homeowner’s insurance. Exposure to these potential hazards can lead to potentially dangerous consequences for your health.

To properly dispose of your old insulation, have a professional technician approach the task. Professional contractors know how to safely and properly remove all insulation from the home, including the insulation within your attic, walls, and crawlspaces.

Benefits of Professional Insulation Installation

Hiring a professional insulation contractor to handle the task can take a load off your shoulders while helping your home in the long run. Not only will you be able to enjoy sitting aside while the task is handled for you, but insulation contractors at King Insulation can help in a number of other ways.

Here are a few ways in which a professional installer can directly help you and your home.

  • Get An Energy Audit – An energy audit is a (free!) and effective way to find out where energy loss is largely coming from within your home. An energy audit will include the testing and inspecting of equipment, heat transfer, and air movement in your home. An energy audit can help you save money while focusing on replacing the right insulation.
  • Reduced Energy Costs – New insulation from a reputable supplier can help to directly and dramatically reduce your heating and cooling expenses. New insulation can help to better seal cracks and gaps against air leaks, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Year-round Benefits – Insualtion helps your energy expenses not just in the winter, but in the summer as well. Professional insulation will keep you comfortable no matter the time of the year or the weather outside.

Improve our Home Today With King Insulation

King Insulation is a full-service provider of professional insulation installations throughout the state of Arizona. Founded in 1981, King Insulation provides professional installers with unmatched products to leave you assured that you are getting the greatest value possible for your time and money.

The team at King Insulation offers

  • Residential Insulation
  • Commercial Installation
  • Free Home Estimates
  • Lead-Safe Certified Firm

To have new insulation installed in your home, call on King Insulation for a free estimate!

Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Insulation In Your Phoenix Home

Whether you are new to the region or a lifelong Phoenix resident, keeping your home properly insulated is imperative for your overall comfort. Temperatures in Arizona can ebb and flow with the seasons, bringing surging heatwaves and chilly nights. To keep your home temperate at all times, consider the benefits of professional spray foam insulation services through the team at King Insulation.

Let’s start our discussion by exploring the pros and cons of spray foam insulation as well as how King Insulation can support your service needs.

What Is Spray Foam Insulation?

Imperative to the overall comfort of a home, properly installed insulation can act as a barrier between your walls, ceiling cavities, and floors. Spray foam can be sprayed directly into an open cavity, such as a new attic or crawl space, as well as any other odd areas. Spray foam can be applied anywhere that a technician can find access, including small cracks, gaps, and crevices. Spray foam insulation does not lose its shape, nor does it compress, sag, or deteriorate through cracking over time.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation can be a perfect choice for homeowners throughout Arizona. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this product together to see if it is the right choice for your home.

  • Prevent Mold – Spray foam insulation is an ideal way to prevent potential mold issues. Reducing moisture levels while preventing the spread of mold, spray foam insulation can be especially beneficial to individuals with allergies.
  • Fits Any Area – Spray foam can be applied in any open crack or crevice as it fits into the space surrounding it. Clinging to surfaces, spray foam can become a long-lasting solution.
  • Reduce Moisture – Water damage, rotting wood, and mold are all problems of the past with spray foam insulation due to the fact that it can prevent moisture from accumulating.

As far as downsides go, spray foam insulation may be considered unattractive to some, though this is a matter of personal taste. Spray foam insulation can be enjoyed with the assistance of a professional technician at King Insulation.

Contact King Insulation Today!

Founded in 1981, King Insulation has been focused on providing the people of Phoenix with professional insulation services at unbeatable prices. King Insulation aspires to live by every tenant of their customer service agreement: provide the most professional job, the best products, and the most value to every customer in the area.

Learn more today by contacting King Insulation with any questions or concerns!

What Does An Average Electric Bill In Phoenix Look Like?

How much have you been spending on your electric bill in Phoenix? It might surprise you to know that Phoenix is one of the most expensive cities when it comes to electricity costs. However, there are ways that you can keep these costs down.

Let’s take a close look at the average Phoenix electric bill and how you can lower those numbers.

What is the Average Electric Bill in Phoenix?

The average electricity bill in Phoenix is pretty high. This is one of the more expensive cities to live in when it comes to electricity. In fact, Arizona is the sixth most expensive state when it comes to the cost of electricity.

The cost of electricity in Phoenix is roughly $450 a month for a 2,000 square foot home. This is only slightly larger than the average size of a home in Phoenix which is 1,600 square feet.

Electricity costs get more affordable the smaller an individual’s home or apartment account is. However, the size of your home isn’t always the biggest factor when it comes to air conditioning costs. How your home is insulated can dramatically impact your electricity bill.

How Much Does Electricity Cost in Phoenix?

The average cost of electricity in Phoenix, Arizona is 11.9 cents per kilowatt hour. This is significantly higher than you would find in other parts of the country.

Part of the reason electricity is so expensive in Phoenix is because of the hot summers. People rely on their air conditioning to make their homes livable and this drives up electricity costs during those hot months.

What About Electricity Bills in Arizona?

The average monthly bill for electricity and Arizona is $128 per month. This is much higher than in other major cities like Chicago and New York which are closer to $100 per month.

The rising temperatures in Arizona are partly responsible for this increase in the cost of electricity. As more residents turn on their air conditioning, companies ratchet up the cost of electricity to increase their profit.

Why is My Electricity Bill in Phoenix so High?

There’s a lot that goes into the reason why electricity bills in Phoenix are so high. Some of those reasons are just the natural byproduct of living at one of the hottest places in the world. It takes more air conditioning power to make indoor temperatures more comfortable in these climates.

However, a big reason why electricity costs are so high is due to improper installation. Making sure your home is able to retain that temperature is one of the best ways to keep your costs down.

How Insulation Can Improve Your Energy Costs

Insulation isn’t just for keeping homes warm in colder climates. Insulation also helps keep your home cool during those hot summer months.

The job of insulation isn’t just to retain heat, but to make sure that the home’s temperature stays steady throughout the day and throughout the night. Professional insulation installation can help make sure that your home it’s comfortable and even the hottest months. High quality insulation also can help you lower your electricity bill in the years to come.

Your Guide To Insulation Removal

Knowing the proper time to remove old insulation and when removal is unnecessary can save you a lot of money. Many people believe that existing insulation needs to be taken out whenever they repair or install new insulation. This guide covers what you need to know about insulation removal.

When It’s Not Necessary to Remove Your Old Insulation

You may notice that your insulation has settled and become more compacted over time. When insulation settles, it takes up less space and one of the biggest signs of this is when you can see the studs in places like the attic. Your first instinct may be to remove the existing insulation, but you might be able to just apply new insulation to the old insulation to improve your energy efficiency.

There are times when your insulation may be misaligned. This doesn’t mean that you need to remove it, however. You can lift and fill the insulation to make sure that it’s both installed and working properly. The process begins with lifting the old insulation and blowing fill insulation into the gaps. This can insulate your electrical wiring, cross studs and cavities without the need to remove and dispose of your current insulation.

When You Need to Remove Insulation

If you notice water damage, it’s time for completely new insulation. The insulation needs to be removed before you can repair the damage and the old insulation is a safety hazard. When insulation is soaked with water, it becomes an ideal environment for mildew, mold and algae to grow. These microorganisms can invade the air you breathe and make you sick. The best course of action to repair water damage is to also replace any insulation that contains water.

Another reason you may want to remove old insulation is if you’ve got a rodent infestation. Mice and rats seek shelter during the colder months and may create a nest inside your insulation. The only way to eliminate the rodent infestation is to remove the insulation, remove the rodents, and then install new insulation.

Assess Your Situation Before Removing Insulation

Having your existing insulation removed adds an unneeded expense if you’d be better off keeping the insulation in place. It takes more man-hours to remove and then dispose of the insulation safely and this increases your bill. If you’re concerned about whether your insulation is affecting your air quality, having someone inspect it first before you act can help you determine the most appropriate course of action.

Even if you do remove old insulation, you need to have the attic and roof decking sealed to reduce drafts and improve air quality. Once your roof and attic are properly sealed, you won’t need to worry about dust and debris getting into your home.

How to Decide Whether to Repair or Remove Your Insulation

Before you can truly know what’s best for your situation, you need to have a home energy audit performed on your house. King Insulation offers free in-home estimates and we’ll let you know if you can save money by keeping your existing insulation. Contact us today at (602) 272-9297 to learn more.

The BIG Risks of Poor Insulation

Although many people only think of insulation as an afterthought, properly insulating your home is of the utmost importance. Indeed, although the average person chooses to focus on things such as the size of the house, the location, color, and other less important factors. Either way, failing to consider the risks of poor insulation is often one of the biggest mistakes any organization can make. With that in mind, the following is a closer look at why that is.

Disadvantages of Poor Insulation

If you are a homeowner who is concerned about the potential disadvantages of having a poorly insulated home, some of them are as follows:

  • Moldiness: One of the top disadvantages of having poor insulation is the potential for mold growth. Not only is mold inconvenient and unattractive, but it can also cause significant health issues. Notably, breathing it in can cause hazardous spores to be released into your lungs. Additionally, it can cause some people to develop allergic reactions; it can trigger asthma attacks or even eczema.
  • Draftiness: Another major issue associated with a poorly insulated home is draftiness. In particular, this can cause you to lose heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. This will cause you to spend much more money to keep your home warm or cool throughout the year.
  • Frozen Pipes: Additionally, poor insulation can cause your pipes to freeze during the winter if you live in a colder climate. This will often cause you to have to increase the temperature of your household to prevent this from happening. Moreover, even with increased heat, you may still end up with frozen pipes.
  • Poor Home Health: While the average person may not be familiar with the concept of home health, this doesn’t make the idea any less critical. In fact, this is arguably one of the most important aspects of any home. As mentioned, poor insulation causes issues such as draftiness, frozen pipes, and mold. Each of these issues is a factor in your home’s overall health. The more negatives you have, the less healthy your home is, and the less healthy your home is, the less inhabitable it will be for you and future owners. This not only makes your home less safe, but it can also destroy the resale value of your home.

Benefits of Proper Insulation

Now that we know about the risks of poor insulation, let’s review the benefits:

  • Pest Deterrent: One of the top benefits of proper insulation is that it helps to deter pests of all kinds. Everything from bugs to rodents can be prevented from entering your home with the help of proper insulation.
  • Lower Energy Bill: Also, having a home that is properly insulated can allow you to have lower energy bills.
  • Mold and Rust Reduction: Lastly, having a home that is properly insulated can lessen the likelihood of developing mold and rust.

Overall, if you are worried about the insulation of your home, you have options. Just contact your friends here at King Insulation for a quote and more information.

Is Your Home Telling You to Re-Insulate?

You rely on your home’s insulation to help keep you comfortable all year round. Meanwhile, quality insulation can help you save on your energy bills and minimize the amount of outside noise that makes its way into your house.

So, how do you know when it’s time to re-insulate your home? There are a handful of things to watch out for.

Your HVAC Bills Are Through the Roof

Have you noticed an increase in your energy bills? If so, and if your HVAC system isn’t to blame, then it might just be that your insulation needs to be upgraded. This may also be the case if your HVAC system seems to be working harder to keep your home comfortable, as a lack of quality insulation may mean that your furnace or AC is running more than it should.

Your Home is More Than a Few Decades Old

Believe it or not, it wasn’t until the mid-1980s when building codes actually began to require insulation in homes. Prior to this, it was not entirely uncommon to find homes with no insulation at all. And even once insulation became a building requirement, the quality of insulation used was not great. If your home was built more than a few decades ago, there’s a good chance you could benefit from re-insulation.

Your Rooms Feel Drafty

If you notice drafts in your home, it can be easy to blame your windows and doors. However, drafts can also come from poor insulation. If you’re noticing an increase in drafts throughout your home or if you find that there are major temperature differences throughout different spaces in your home, then it’s probably time to re-insulate. Doing so can help to seal off gaps that may otherwise allow outside air in.

Your Home Gets Ice Dams

Ice dams (or ice that forms on the eaves of your home during the winter) is almost always a sign of insulation problems. That’s because these dams form when ice or snow melts on a roof due to hot air inside a home’s attic. If your home gets ice dams during the winter, it’s time to look into upgrading your insulation sooner rather than later.

You’re Bothered By Outside Noise

Are you constantly being bothered by outside noise from traffic, neighbors, or other sources? If so, then upgrading your insulation can be a great way to reduce the amount of outside noise that you can hear in your home. As a result, you can enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet no matter what may be going on outside.

Get Started With Re-Insulation Today

These are just a few telltale signs that it may be time to re-insulate your home. The good news is that this home improvement can be a lot easier and less expensive than you may think!

At King Insulation, we specialize in residential re-insulation (and have since 1981)! Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation at your home!

Benefits of Wall Insulation in Arizona

Average summer temperatures exceed 90 F in parts of Arizona, while other regions of the state experience frigid cold during winter. As a result, it is important to take proper care to professionally insulate the walls of your home. Wall insulation can go a long way toward preserving energy, saving money, and keeping your family comfortable throughout the season.

Let’s take a closer look at all of the reasons why better wall insulation can lead to an improved living experience. By the end of our conversation, you’ll be ready to call the team at King Insulation to insulate your home!

Offset Extreme Temperatures

No matter how much you might love winter or summer temperature shifts, you probably don’t want to bring those extreme temperatures into your home. From those boiling hot 100 degree days to the frigid cold snaps that seem to appear overnight in the northern section of the state, professional wall insulation can help.

Professionally installed insulation can go a long way toward preventing shifts in your interior temperature, keeping your home cool when the weather is hot and warm when the weather is cool.

Create Energy Savings

When a home isn’t properly insulated, temperature shifts can send your HVAC system into overdrive. If you are tired of hearing your air conditioning unit run all day, it might be the right time to consider improved thermal insulation. Wall insulation helps to prevent the transfer of heat or cold to the outside world, regulating your home while leaving you comfortable in the process.

Walls with properly installed insulation that matches the right thickness and thermal resistance can lead to energy savings of up to 20% on your bill. Of course, your mileage may vary based upon your HVAC usage rates.

Reduce Noise Pollution

If you are like most people, you like to keep the outdoors, well, outdoors – and this includes noise! Noise pollution is one of the most consistently frustrating aspects of living in or around urban centers. From cars and airplanes to barking dogs and chirping birds, there is always something outside to wake a sleeping person up. Fortunately, insulation is fantastic for offsetting noise pollution by working as a dampener.  From blown-in insulation to batt insulation, the material will act as an insulator to keep you content while the world outside wakes up.

Prevent Moisture Accumulation

When a home is poorly insulated, it means that there are likely large gaps within the walls of the building where insulation should be. These gaps can not only open up your home to temperature shifts through wind gusts, but it can also lead to moisture retention and potential water damage. Untreated areas where water accumulates can lead to mold, mildew, and other structural issues that may impact your home. When cold snaps happen, these moist spots can even freeze and cause new damage.

Contact King Insulation

King Insulation has proudly served Arizona with winning energy-saving solutions since 1981. King Insulation provides service to residential, industrial, and commercial properties. No project is too large or too small for the team of experts at King Insulation!

Contact King Insulation today to discuss your energy saving needs.

Increase the Energy Efficiency Of Your Arizona Home Year-Round!

Fiberglass insulation was first invented in the 1930s to help insulate homes against the elements. In the many years since then, we’ve come to rely on professionally installed installation not just to keep our homes comfortable, but to keep our energy bills minimal. While our mind’s eye might imagine insulation as pivotal for keeping the house warm during the winter, insulation can do so much more.

Today, we are going to explore a couple of different ways that new insulation can make your home more energy-efficient than ever.

True Energy Saving Benefits of Insulation

Here in Arizona, temperatures can swing and sway as the calendar progresses. Scorching hot summers can give way to cool winter nights, leaving your home in a constant state of flux. The truth about energy efficiency is simple, if we can maintain a steady temperature throughout the day, we can minimize energy use.

Roof and Attic Energy Loss

Having a team of professional installers put new insulation in your home can help to keep your property at a steady temperature. Insulating your home against temperature swings is the best way to lower your energy bills. One of the most common areas for energy loss before re-insulating your home will be in the attic and through the roof. Properly installed insulation by King Insulation can minimize energy loss while leaving your home more comfortable as a result.

Flexible Insulation Options

What sets a professional installer apart from amateur alternatives comes down to expertise and product availability. Working with King Insulation will ensure access to fiberglass, spray foam, and blown-in fiberglass or cellulose. Flexible insulation options ensure that your needs are met where they are most dire.

  • Fiberglass – Made by heating silica sands and spinning them into fiber, fiberglass insulation is strong, inexpensive, and long-lasting.
  • Spray Foam – Made from polyurethane, spray foam is the ideal insulation for buildings in Arizona. Spray foam is fantastic for minimizing moisture and moisture damage as well as insulating against noise.
  • Blown-in Cellulose – Cellulose is created from recycled paper, typically sourced from newspaper and newsprint waste. Cellulose is often chosen because it is fire retardant, affordable, and relatively eco-friendly in the grand scheme of things.

Discuss your property and corresponding concerns with a technician at King Insulation to ensure that your needs are met directly.

More Than a Cold Weather Issue

Insulating your home and improving energy efficiency is a year-round process. In Arizona, temperature swings ensure that your property will face inconsistent temperatures. Only by professionally insulating and maintaining your home can you work toward reducing energy expenditures while improving your home’s value.

Insulation can be as simple as a one-time cost that pays for itself over the corresponding years of energy savings. Are you ready to improve your home or business?

Improve Your Energy Efficiency With King Insulation

Founded in 1981, King Insulation is committed to providing unrivaled service at unbeatable prices. Driven by exceptional customer service, King Insulation provides residential and commercial insulation services in addition to industrial properties. Whether you are adding a small addition to your home or re-insulating an enormous warehouse, King Insulation is here to help!

Contact King Insulation today to discuss your insulation needs!