The majority of homes we inspect do not have adequate insulation in the attic. Most often, when homes are constructed, contractors will install the minimum amount of insulation required. While minimal insulation is better than no insulation, having the proper amount will make your HVAC system run more efficiently which keeps your home warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and saves you money on energy bills ALL YEAR LONG. The investment of insulation begins paying for itself immediately!
For attic insulation, there are a lot of options you can choose from, making it a somewhat stressful decision for homeowners. Here are some things to consider:
Does your attic currently have some type of insulation? If so, you may want to with a loose-fill product since it fills in gaps well OR have the insulation removed and replaced (common when insulation is contaminated by pest infestations or water-damaged).
Are you planning to insulate the attic yourself or call an insulation contractor? Installing loose-fill or blown-in insulation is more labor-intensive compared to batt insulation since it requires special equipment to install.
How much accessible space is in your attic? Batt insulation is relatively easy to install in accessible spaces with higher ceilings, but not recommended for areas with a lot of obstructions. Loose-fill insulation is blown into your attic, making it a better choice for spaces with limited accessibility.
In what type of climate is your home located? This will determine how much insulation you need, using R-Value minimums established by the Department of Energy (see map below).
For most insulation projects, we recommend using TAP Insulation. TAP is a loose-fill, cellulose insulation product that guarantees energy cost savings of 20-38% when installed at recommended R-Values. TAP, short for Thermal Acoustical Pest Control, Insulation is made of 87% recycled newsprint, is energy star rated, and treated with borates, a natural pest control product that provides permanent pest protection in your attic. TAP is also unique in that it has the added benefit of fire protection. And, in addition to saving you tons of money throughout the year on utility bills, TAP Insulation keeps warm air inside in colder temperatures, cool air in warmer temperatures, making your home comfortable year-round.
Insulation can have a major impact on your home’s temperature. The benefits don’t stop there, though. Proper attic insulation translates into lower utility bills (savings up to 30% or more!), energy conservation, and a break for your HVAC system…which also cuts down heating and air repair costs. So you’re probably wondering how much insulation is enough insulation and what type is best. We’ve got answers.
1. How much insulation do you need to keep the house warm and get all the above perks?
Let’s talk R-values. According to Energy Star, homes in southeast states like Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and the Carolinas require an R-value of R30-R60. So what is R-value exactly? It’s a measurement of insulation’s ability to resist heat. The higher the R-Value, the more comfortable your home’s temperature will be – throughout the year. Essentially, the more insulation you have, the more warm air you’ll keep in your home when running the heat and the more cold air you’ll keep out. Same applies in the summer. Energy Star also says that the majority of homes in the US do NOT have enough insulation to be effective…so it may be worth having a professional get up in the attic and take a look around. Most companies give free evaluations and quotes. Then you can decide if the investment makes sense.
2. Now that we’ve established the importance of insulation – what type of insulation is right for your home?
Just like most products in today’s market, you’ve got options.
Batt Insulation – A popular choice, and with reason. Fiberglass insulation batts (most common) are easy to install compared to the alternative (more on that later) and often cost a little less. Depending on the size and shape of your attic, batts usually have to be cut and sized for a perfect fit – which can be time-consuming and tedious. A good fit is essential for the insulation to be effective, though; gaps will cause warm or cool air to leak out.
Blown (or loose) Insulation – There’s a large variety of blown-in insulation, some with more benefits than others. Equipment is required for installation which could be rented from your local home improvement store. Or you can use a professional insulation company that has materials, equipment, and will know exactly how much insulation you need to see maximum results. Our choice is TAP Insulation…here’s why.
Start making money back immediately.
TAP Insulation is an investment for your home and will provide a hefty return. It’s typical to save 30% or more on energy costs!
A cozy, warm house this winter.
Problem solved! Keep temperatures warm and heating costs low.
Goodbye household pests.
TAP is a unique insulation product that’s treated with Borates, a naturally occurring mineral that is an effective fungicide/insecticide against a broad spectrum of pests, according to the EPA.
Fire Protection.
TAP is also treated with a fire retardant that helps to limit the spread of fire.
Your HVAC system will thank you.
By keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, your heating and cooling system won’t have to work as hard…saving you money on utility bills and keeping HVAC repair costs low.
It’s never been easier to be green.
TAP is a eco-friendly solution – it’s made from recycled newsprint, saves landfill space, conserves energy, and utilizes a natural pest control solution.
TAP Insulation can also be added on top of existing insulation to increase the R-value. Still not convinced? Find out more here or schedule a free home evaluation.
We’re all looking for ways to save money. We’re cutting back on unnecessary items, thinking twice before we spend our money, and looking for ways to save on necessities. One way to save is to install TAP Insulation in your attic.
Attic Before TAP
Tap Insulation saves in two ways: saving on your energy bills and energy savings (along with many other benefits). When your attic has the right r-value, resistance to heat, then your HVAC system runs more efficiently. Less work for your HVAC means less money each month on the bill. Our highly trained professional will evaluate your current r-value and bring your insulation to the Department of Energy recommended r-value of 49, with a minimum of 30.
Attic After TAP
It’s typical to see a 20-38% savings on your energy bills after you’ve had TAP Insulation installed. This will benefit your home in both the cold winter months and the warm summer months because it keeps your home at a consistent temperature throughout the season which gives your HVAC system a break. Lastly, TAP Insulation is a GREEN solution for your home. It’s another great way to save green while going green!
If your home is anything like mine you have a high electric bill in the summer and a high gas bill in the winter. When one goes down, the other one goes up. Luckily, Northwest Exterminating offers services that can relieve some of those painful energy bills from the bottom of your house up.
Northwest’s Complete CrawlSpace system will not only soften those energy bills but it will improve the overall health of your home. Crawl spaces are often filled with moisture. Moisture leads to high levels of humidity which cause mold growth, pests, and energy loss. Energy loss may sound like a good thing but it actually causes your system to work harder leading to higher energy bills. Closing in your crawl space can control the amount of moisture, correcting the issues listed above and preventing them from happening in the future. This would give you a healthier, more energy efficient living environment that could save you up to 18% on utility bills.
Another way to save on energy bills is to properly insulate your attic. TAP attic insulation can reduce both your heating and cooling bills. When you have the recommended r-value (insulation’s resistance to heat flow) your insulation works more efficiently, meaning your heating and air isn’t working overtime to compensate. TAP attic insulation can save you up to 30% or more on your utility bills. Other benefits include:
The temperature is dropping in Georgia and your energy bills are raising. Do you know the r-value of the insulation in your attic? Probably not. The Department of Energy recommends an r-value of 49 with a minimum of 30 in your home insulation. By adding the recommended r-value to your home, you can ensure that your home is working efficiently while lowering your energy bills.
By adequately insulating your attic you will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This will make your HVAC system use less energy and save you money on your bills.
Northwest Exterminating offers attic insulation that offers many benefits besides just saving energy and putting more money in your pocket.
Immediate Return on Your Investment – Typical to see anywhere from 20-38% savings on your energy bills!
10% Tax Credit in 2011 – Homeowners can claim a 10% tax credit (or up to $500) on the installation investment, if TAP is installed in 2011.
The cold weather is here!! By installing TAP Insulation in your home you can be sure that you and your family stay comfortable throughout the season and lower your energy bills at the same time. Here is another testimonial from a happy TAP customer!
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to thank Northwest Exterminating for introducing me to TAP Insulation. You performed the installation in early October and I already have noticed a difference in the first 6 weeks. I am amazed when I leave for work each morning that it is cold outside that my roof is the only home in my neighborhood that is completely covered with frost. Simply stated, that tells me the heat is being kept in the house where it should be. I have also noticed that the heat does not turn on nearly as much as it used to. In years past, it seemed as my heat was constantly on. I can not wait to be able to compare my heating and cooling bills over the next year to those of the previous year.
I was also extremely pleased with the professionalism of the crew that came out to perform the work. These individuals were not only very polite, but took the time to make sure my home was the way it was before they left. In fact, it was probably cleaner than it was to begin with.
Again, I can not thank you all enough for introducing me to this product. Not only is it going to pay for itself by the monthly savings of my utilities, but it also going to help control those unwanted critters trying to get into my home.
Please do not hesitate to pass my name on to anyone that would like a referral, because this product works!
It’s not too late to be eligible for the 2011 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency. One of the Energy Star qualified products is the attic insulation that is offered by Northwest Exterminating, TAP Insulation. TAP Insulation is a loose-fill cellulose insulation made up of 87% recycled newsprint. TAP not only provides pest protection but also has sound barrier qualities as well as energy savings.
The tax credit will expire on December 31, 2011. To be eligible for the tax credit, TAP must be installed to an existing home and your principal residence. New construction and rentals DO NOT qualify. With the tax credit you will receive 10% of the cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50-$300.
The 2011 tax credit is just one of the many benefits that you receive when you install TAP attic insulation to your home. Adding adequate insulation is one of the most cost-effective home improvements that you can do. For a list of benefits or more information on TAP Insulation click HERE. Call Northwest Exterminating for professional service!
Don’t just take our word for it. See what some of our customers are saying about TAP Insulation!
“I was amazed at how efficient the insulation was handled. Actually, I thought there would be a terrible mess in the installment process because of the very fine and light material they were installing. Quite the opposite happened as the workers were very careful not to let the insulation fall back into the living areas. They were very pleasant to work with and very careful not to damage anything. As they worked, they kept the floor clean and all three were very professional. They made certain everything was picked up and the living area clean before departing. Thank you very much for the great installation, and I look forward to cutting the cost of my utility bill over the coming year.” ~B. Warden
“I have recently had TAP installed in my attic. Before it was put in, my heater would come on about every 15 minutes for long periods of time. Since the installation, the frequency and length has been greatly reduced. The staff, both sales and office, and the installation team were very professional and handled the process with the expertise I expected. It was performed with as little disturbance as possible to my daily routine. The installation team was on time and had the job done in the amount of time they told me it would take. I am looking forward to reduced heating and air conditioning bills. Thanks for a great job and a great product!” ~M. Price
“We recently had problems with raccoons and as a result needed to have insulation replaced in our home. I would like to bring to your attention the outstanding customer service we received from your representative. His professional and courteous attitude and expert knowledge in handling our specific issues were very important to our complete customer satisfaction. We would also like to thank the crew, who removed the old insulation and installed the TAP Insulation, for a tremendous job. They were prompt, worked tirelessly to complete the job, and cleaned up afterward. The crew was courteous and respectful. We appreciate having personnel like this crew working in our home. We are completely satisfied with the product and services rendered by your company. We will look forward to patronizing Northwest Exterminating whenever the need arises.” ~L. Galloway
Having TAP Insulation (or Energy Star Insulation) installed in your attic is a benefit to your home as well as yourself. When you have TAP installed, a Northwest Exterminating professional will check the current r-value (indicates an insulation’s resistance to heat flow) in your attic and let you know how much TAP Insulation will be needed to bring your home to the Department of Energy’s standards. The Department of Energy recommends an r-value of 49 with a minimum of 30. Once you have been notified how much insulation you will need, TAP insulation will be added to the current insulation in your attic.
Attics are known to be housing for invaders like wildlife, rodents and pests. Oftentimes, the attic insulation is damaged by these un-welcomed visitors by moving the insulation or contaminating it with their urine and fecal matter. Northwest Exterminating will remove any contaminated insulation and replace it with TAP Insulation to rid your home of any health risk that contaminated insulation may cause.
TAP Insulation offers several benefits to the homeowner:
Immediate Return on Your Investment – Typical to see anywhere from 20-38% savings on your energy bills!
10% Tax Credit in 2011 – Homeowners can claim a 10% tax credit (or up to $500) on the installation investment, if TAP is installed in 2011.
Permanent Pest Protection in Attic – Roaches, ants, and other pests like to nest in attics. TAP Insulation controls these unwanted invaders.
Fire Safety – TAP is treated with a fire-retardant that forms a charred surface which, when burned, limits the spread of fire.
Year-round comfort – TAP allows you to keep more consistent temperatures throughout the seasons.
A Break for Your HVAC System – With proper insulation, your heating and cooling systems will not have to work as hard.
A GREEN Solution – Insulating your home with TAP saves landfill space and conserves energy used in your home.
