FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why hire an insulation specialist?
Incorrectly installed insulation can cause big headaches. When contractors cut corners, homeowners suffer from higher heating/cooling costs, and risk structural damage to their homes from bulk moisture. A trained professional knows the codes and can correct any problems that your home may be facing.
What is our Lifetime Warranty?
Our lifetime warranty covers defects in workmanship because we are confident our work is done right the first time. We guarantee to install the correct amount of material for blown insulation to achieve the installed R-value stated on the estimate. All insulation final heights are estimated and will vary since the insulation in an attic can be uneven.
What happens during the Home Energy Assessment / Audit?
A Home Energy Assessment, or energy audit pinpoints trouble spots that cause comfort issues and cost you money. Our certified energy assessors will perform a series of diagnostic tests on your home before making recommendations. Some of these tests include:
Thermal imaging – find missing insulation
Blower door tests – locate drafts & measure ventilation
Combustion safety – check gas leaks & furnace efficiency
Indoor Air Quality – certify your indoor air quality
Can existing insulation be added to rather than starting over?
Yes! Think of it like putting on a new thick coat over an old worn out coat. Before insulating, we add ventilation and seal energy leaks with spray foam including: attic penetrations, wiring, top plates, and chase ways.
However, if the insulation has become wet this can lead to mold, mildew, or building damage. In this case, the insulation needs to be removed, we can do this for you.
Which areas of my home are the most important for insulation?
Insulation is not just for attics and outside walls. Insulation should also be installed in other areas of your home such as ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and ceilings or floors for extra sound control.
Which type of insulation is the best? Is one better than another?
Each type of insulation has its inherent pros and cons and each is best suited for certain applications. That’s why at Comfort 1st we don’t specialize in only one type of insulation, but rather offer our customers the best options for their situation.
How do we improve the indoor air quality of your home?
According to the EPA, “Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.”
Traditionally, homes in the past were built leaky; they relied on passive ventilation to bring in dirty air from gaps, and cracks in the building envelope. With advanced new construction, active ventilation supplies fresh filtered air to the home, and the building envelope is built as tight as possible.
We’ve taken the same approach as new construction and have applied it to existing homes. First, we find and seal energy/air leaks, and then we certify your air quality by installing a Fresh Air Ventilation System.
Why should I insulate my garage?
If your garage is heated full-time, it’s costing you money, and it should be insulated. Even if you’re not heating your garage full-time, insulation will keep your car or garage work space more comfortable.
How do we reduce unwanted sound with our Sound Reduction service?
Yes, upgrading insulation is an efficient, and affordable way to reduce sound. In new construction, sound reducing insulation is installed inside interior and exterior walls. For existing homes, your home will look the same, but it will be quieter and more comfortable.
Can insulation resolve Ice Dams?
Yes, ice dams can be prevented by stopping rapid heat loss into the attic. First, the attic should be professionally air sealed and ventilated properly. Next, the attics insulation levels should be brought up to code.
Particular attention should be given to sealing drop soffits, chase ways, and improperly vented bath fans.
What is an "R-Value" and why does is it so important?
R-value tells you how a material resists heat transfer. The higher the value, the greater the resistance. R-values per inch vary with different insulation materials. Therefore, how well insulation performs is more accurately measured by its total R-value than by inches of thickness.
How much insulation do I need?
For a typical home in Northern climates, the recommended insulation height for an attic should be about 16 to 18 inches.
