Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Oct 27, 2009
Now that you know the ABC’s of insulation, it is time to choose your installer. You have several options with who and how you will have your insulation installed. Below we list the options and describe each.
Option #1 DIY (Do it Yourself) – Yes you could try to DIY and save a few bucks but you should consider several factors before you start. Chances are, if you are going to take up this project yourself, you won’t be blowing in the insulation due to lack of machinery and will be using batt insulation. This is a very messy and itchy process that usually won’t produce the same energy performance as when a professional installs the insulation. DIY means cutting and piecing on all fours (usually have to do it twice because you want to stagger the insulation to cover the joists to eliminate gaps.)
Additionally, installing insulation requires walking on ceiling joists – if you slip you could push a foot through your ceiling and eliminate any costs savings you would have claimed. Finally, insulating an attic isn’t just about spreading insulation, it is also about ventilation and safety. If the proper ventilation isn’t maintained, mold can grow in your home causing major health concerns.
Option #2 Hire the Cheapest Company – You could also call around and try to get the cheapest possible installer. 2009 has squeezed all of us financially and we are all looking to stretch each dollar as far as we can; but the old saying “You get what you pay for.” does not dull with age. Some questions you will want to ask your potential installers include: How much/do you have insurance? Are you a BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited? How long have you been in business? How old is your equipment? Do I have a choice in materials (Fiberglass vs. Cellulose)?
Option #3 Utilize a True Professional – By utilizing a professional insulation company you can rest easy knowing the job will be done right. Professional home improvement companies like Moonworks manage the project from beginning to end. Be sure to choose someone that is BBB accredited, fully insured, and well educated in insulating homes. The overall cost to insulate a home is relatively low – especially now that you can utilize a 30% 2009 tax credit and recognize up to 20% instantly in annual energy savings.
This concludes our Insulation Blog Series. We hope you enjoyed reading the articles as much as we did writing them.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, Oct 23, 2009
We just installed another fiberglass insulation job in Rhode Island and this time we took pictures. Look at the difference before and after. I am sure our Rhode Island insulation customer will be much warmer this winter!
Before Fiberglass Insulation
Blowing in Fiberglass Insulation
After Blowing in Fiberglass Insulation
After Blowing in Fiberglass Insulation
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Oct 19, 2009
Now that we have discussed a little more in-depth about
insulation including
insulation terminology, facts, and
types of insulation; I thought it would be appropriate to discuss why
you need insulation. For this blog, Moonworks has provided a list of bite sized insulation facts for you to consume:- Un-insulated or under-insulated attics can account for up to 40% of your home's heat loss.
- Insulating your home to the appropriate R-value could instantly save you up to 20% on your yearly energy costs.
- According to the Department of Energy air leakage, moisture infiltration, and inadequate insulation are the leading cause of energy waste in older homes.
- Well-insulated and properly sealed houses are more comfortable than poorly insulated and drafty homes.
- Insulation is a great way to reduce outside noise.
- Insulation can keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
- 30% Tax Credit for 2009 - The U.S. government is offering a tax credit of 30% when you purchase home insulation this year.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out the rest of our
Insulation Blog Series here.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, Oct 16, 2009
A recent breakthrough at MIT could save homeowners a significant amount of money on their yearly energy bills. The heart of this discovery is a new roofing tile that changes color based on ambient temperature. The tiles turn white (reflecting the heat) when it is hot outside and turn black (absorbing the heat) when it is cold. The tiles have been shown to reflect up to 80% of the sunlight when white and 30% when they are black.
The team who invented these tiles is appropriately named Thermeleon (like Chameleon). Thermeleon took first place and a prize of $5000 in the MIT competition Making and Designing Materials Engineering Contest (MADMEC).
Nick, a member of the team explains the technology:
"...they use a common commercial polymer (in one version, one that is commonly used in hair gels) in a water solution. That solution is encapsulated - between layers of glass and plastic in their original prototype, and between flexible plastic layers in their latest version - with a dark layer at the back.
When the temperature is below a certain level (which they can choose by varying the exact formulation), the polymer stays dissolved, and the black backing shows through, absorbing the sun's heat. But when the temperature climbs, the polymer condenses to form tiny droplets, whose small sizes scatter light and thus produce a white surface, reflecting the sun's heat."
These new-age materials will prove to help consumers drive down their energy costs as well as slow the rate of global warming. While these technologies are very interesting, they are a few years out to being commercial developed. Luckily for us, roof material manufacturers are already producing energy saving shingles. Moonworks sells several roofing materials with reflective granules like our Solaris and Cool Roofing Shingles. These products don't only save you money on your yearly energy bill, but also qualify you for up to a $1500 tax credit because they are Energy Star rated.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Thu, Oct 15, 2009
Sure we all know that roofs are essential to making a home; however, some are actually better than others. What makes this occur? Is it the shingles? Is it the base? In order to answer these questions, we have researched just what it is that makes you love your roof!
Roofs definitely take their share of a beating, so they need to be built strong enough to endure anything that Mother Nature springs on them. If a roof isn't installed correctly using only high-quality materials, your home can end up in serious danger. Roofs have to stand up to many different climate types depending on where in the world your house is located. Some roofs must survive below-freezing temperatures in the winter, scorching temperatures in the summer, ultraviolet rays from the sun, as well as rain, snow, hail and ice falling on them year-round. The quality of roof you use can determine how long it lasts throughout the years in these conditions.
When it comes to roofing materials, the most commonly used is asphalt shingles. While there are some regions in the United States where other materials make sense because of local preferences or special climatic conditions, there's no material that competes with asphalt on a cost-per-years-of-service basis. Actually, asphalt roofing is used on nine out of ten houses built in the U.S.!
At Moonworks , we never re-roof. Before we put on a new roof, we restore every single layer underneath to ensure it can reap the benefits of GAF-Elk's Weather Stopper® system for years to come.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Oct 12, 2009
One of the most epic battles in home improvement is focused around insulation materials. Fiberglass and Cellulose are the most common materials used in home insulation. In this blog article, we will compare the materials head to head in an unbiased fashion (we sell both fiberglass and cellulose insulation in New England so you can trust us.)
Product Performance
When we compare R-Values (explained in the previous insulation blog article), both products are similar. It is important to note that "R-value per inch" does not matter because the R-value rates the resistance of heat flow. 12" of insulation rated at R30 will achieve the same effect as 18" of insulation rated at R30. Therefore, you can conclude that the products are equal when we compare thermal resistance.
Settling
Settling refers to the gradual sinking of the material. Usually fiberglass has minimal settling and will appear to hold the same thickness as the day it was installed. Cellulose settles at a higher rate, sometimes up to 20%.
Fire
Fiberglass is naturally noncombustible because it is made of spun glass, which is essentially sand. No additional fire retardant material is added to fiberglass insulation. Cellulose is newspaper based, which is naturally combustible. Cellulose insulation is treated with fire retardant chemicals. Occasionally this chemical may lose its effectiveness over time and could pose as a fire hazard later in it's useful life.
Wet Insulation
It is safe to say when insulation gets wet, it loses its R-value. Insulation blocks the transfer of heat by creating small air pockets. When these air pockets are filled with water, they are less effective. Fiberglass is not absorbent and under normal circumstances, will not wick or hold water. Cellulose, on the other hand, is made of recycled newspaper, a material that naturally absorbs moisture.
Weight
Fiberglass gives a higher insulating value per pound installed than cellulose. This places a lower level of stress on your ceiling's drywall.
Sound
Both fiberglass and cellulose have been shown to be excellent sound insulators when properly installed.
Corrosion
Fiberglass is not corrosive and contains no chemicals. Cellulose contains a fire retardant chemical, which occasionally has been show to corrode pipes and wires.
Green
The fiberglass insulation industry utilizes recycled glass containers (generally 30% of the product) and helps to decrease landfill size. Cellulose utilizes recycled newspaper and is generally made up of 80% recycled material.
In conclusion, Moonworks generally directs our customers toward the fiberglass insulation product because it performs at the same level as cellulose with less of the potential negative side effects. Be sure to check out the prior installment of this blog article: Insulation Blog Series: Part 1 - The Basics.
Sources: NAIMA
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Oct 05, 2009
Talk of renewable energy is everywhere you turn - the news, the web, and even by the water cooler at work. At Moonworks, we know the details and sheer number of different renewable energy technologies can be difficult to grasp.
That is why we put together an article to explain it all:
Residential Solar Technology Made Simple. We explore the difference between Solar Photovoltaic Systems (electricity) and
Solar Thermal Systems (hot water). Moonworks carefully breaks down the technologies utilized, upfront cost, tax credits, and lifetime
money savings for the consumer.
Additionally, be sure to check out the numerous Moonworks Blog Articles on Renewable Energy.