Top 5 Benefits of Installing Home Insulation Before Winter Hits

As winter draws near, homeowners often begin planning ways to keep their homes warm and comfortable without facing skyrocketing heating bills. One of the most effective ways to achieve this balance is by ensuring your home has adequate insulation. Insulation in St. Paul plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable indoor temperature all year, but its importance becomes especially evident in winter when retaining heat is essential. At Lewis Insulation, we understand the benefits of staying cozy while saving energy. Here are the top five advantages of insulating your home before the cold weather sets in.

1. Improved Energy Efficiency

Winter heating bills can soar if your home isn’t properly insulated. Without effective insulation, heat escapes through walls, floors, attics and windows, forcing your heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Quality insulation helps trap heat inside, easing the workload on your heating system and lowering your energy consumption. This translates to significant savings on utility bills while keeping your home consistently warm throughout the season.

2. Enhanced Comfort and Warmth

A properly insulated home feels noticeably warmer and more comfortable during the winter. Insulation acts as a protective barrier, preventing cold drafts from infiltrating and ensuring warm air stays indoors. With insulation in your walls, floors and attic, you’ll avoid chilly spots near windows and doors, making your entire home feel uniformly cozy. Insulating your home before winter ensures that every room remains comfortable, no matter how cold it gets outside.

3. Lower Environmental Impact

Insulating your home not only saves money but also reduces your environmental footprint. A well-insulated home uses less energy for heating, which translates to fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Lewis Insulation offers eco-friendly insulation options that help create a sustainable and energy-efficient living space. By preparing your home with effective insulation, you make a choice that benefits both your wallet and the planet, contributing to a greener future.

4. Better Indoor Air Quality

Insulation can also enhance the air quality inside your home, which is particularly important during winter when windows are often closed to retain heat. Proper insulation reduces the entry of outdoor pollutants, allergens and moisture, creating a cleaner and healthier indoor environment. By controlling indoor humidity levels, insulation also helps prevent mold growth, which is vital for maintaining your family’s health. A well-insulated home keeps pollutants at bay, ensuring a more comfortable and breathable space during the colder months.

5. Increased Home Value

Upgrading your insulation is an investment that can boost your home’s value. Prospective buyers in colder climates prioritize energy efficiency and comfort, making well-insulated homes particularly appealing. Whether you’re planning to sell your home soon or not, proper insulation enhances its market value and energy efficiency, offering long-term benefits. Buyers are drawn to homes with reduced heating costs and improved comfort, making insulation a smart choice for enhancing your property’s appeal.

Get Ready for Winter with Lewis Insulation

Winter doesn’t have to bring high heating costs or uncomfortable drafts. Proper insulation ensures a warm and energy-efficient home, helping you enjoy a cozy winter season. At Lewis Insulation, we specialize in providing tailored insulation solutions designed to meet your home’s specific needs. Our experts can evaluate your current insulation, recommend upgrades and install eco-friendly options to maximize your home’s comfort and efficiency.

If you’re ready to prepare for the colder months, contact Lewis Insulation today. Learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve a well-insulated, energy-efficient home this winter. For more about insulation in St. Paul or the surrounding Twin Cities area, call us today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

5 Reasons to Retrofit Your Home with Foam Insulation

When enhancing your home's energy efficiency and comfort, retrofitting with foam insulation in Plymouth is a highly beneficial choice. Spray foam insulation, particularly when installed by professionals like those at Lewis Insulation, provides various advantages that can significantly boost your home’s performance. Here are five compelling reasons to consider retrofitting with foam insulation:

1. Enhanced Energy Efficiency

One of the primary benefits of foam insulation is its ability to significantly improve energy efficiency. Unlike traditional insulation materials, foam insulation creates an airtight seal that minimizes heat transfer. In winter, this keeps warm air inside, while in summer, it ensures that cool air remains indoors. As a result, your heating and cooling systems work less, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills. Over time, the savings on energy costs can offset the initial investment in foam insulation.

2. Improved Indoor Comfort

Foam insulation greatly contributes to a more comfortable living environment by eliminating drafts and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout your home. Traditional insulation can settle over time or allow air leaks, leading to uneven temperatures and discomfort. Foam insulation expands to fill gaps and cracks, ensuring your home remains comfortable year-round. This enhancement in indoor climate can improve your overall quality of life, making your living space more enjoyable.

3. Superior Moisture Control

Effective moisture control is crucial for maintaining a healthy home environment. Foam insulation serves as a moisture barrier, preventing water vapor from penetrating walls and other areas of your home. This is particularly advantageous in humidity-prone areas like basements and crawl spaces. By controlling moisture levels, foam insulation helps prevent mold and mildew growth, which can lead to respiratory issues and structural damage. Retrofitting with foam insulation ensures your home remains dry and protected from moisture-related problems.

4. Increased Property Value

Investing in foam insulation can also elevate your property’s value. Energy-efficient homes are increasingly attractive to buyers, and retrofitting with foam insulation can make your home stand out in the real estate market. Potential buyers are often willing to pay a premium for homes that promise lower energy bills and greater comfort. Moreover, the durability and longevity of foam insulation can be a significant selling point, as it typically requires less maintenance than traditional insulation materials.

5. Environmental Benefits

Foam insulation is an environmentally friendly option that contributes to a greener home. By enhancing energy efficiency, foam insulation helps reduce your carbon footprint by lowering the energy needed for heating and cooling. This decrease in energy consumption leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in a smaller environmental impact. Additionally, many foam insulation products are manufactured with eco-friendly materials and designed to have minimal environmental impact throughout their lifespan.

In summary, retrofitting your home with foam insulation offers a multitude of benefits, including enhanced energy efficiency, improved indoor comfort, superior moisture control, increased property value, and environmental advantages. With its eco-friendly properties and potential for long-term cost savings, foam insulation is a worthwhile investment for homeowners seeking to improve their home's performance. If you're considering retrofitting your home, consult with a professional to explore your options and determine the best solution for your needs. For more about foam insulation in Plymouth or the surrounding Twin Cities area, call us today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

 

Spring Cleaning: The Perfect Time to Check Your Home's Insulation

As winter fades and flowers start to bloom, spring comes as a time of renewal and freshness. It's also a good moment to pay some attention to your home after the long, cold months. While many people focus on cleaning closets and dusting forgotten spots during spring cleaning, don't forget about insulation. It's like a secret helper in your house, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. But just like anything else, insulation can wear out over time, leading to higher energy bills. That's why spring is the perfect time to give it a check-up. At Lewis Insulation, we are proud to be experts in insulation in Plymouth.

Insulation is the silent hero of your home's energy efficiency, working behind the scenes to keep you cozy when it's cold and comfortable when it's hot. However, as time goes on, insulation can degrade, get damaged or even settle, making it less effective and causing your energy bills to go up. That's why spring is a great time to take a look at your home's insulation and make any necessary improvements before the heat of summer hits.

Here's why you should make insulation inspection and maintenance a priority this spring:

1. Energy Efficiency: As temperatures rise, your HVAC system has to work harder to keep your home cool. If your insulation isn't doing its job, you could be losing cool air, which means your air conditioner has to work even harder, costing you more money. Making sure your insulation is in good shape can help you save energy and lower your utility bills.

2. Comfort: Good insulation not only keeps your home energy-efficient but also helps keep it comfortable all year round. Poor insulation can lead to uneven temperatures throughout your home, with some rooms feeling too hot while others stay chilly. By addressing insulation issues now, you can ensure consistent comfort for you and your family.

3. Preventing Moisture Damage: Spring showers might bring May flowers, but they can also cause problems for your home if moisture gets inside. Insulation plays a crucial role in preventing moisture buildup and condensation, which can lead to mold growth, rot and damage to your home's structure. By keeping your insulation in good condition, you can protect your home from water-related issues and maintain its integrity.

4. Allergy Relief: Springtime allergies can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers, but did you know that proper insulation can help reduce indoor allergens? By sealing up gaps and cracks where allergens can sneak in, you can create a healthier indoor environment and breathe easier during allergy season.

So, where should you start with your spring insulation inspection? Begin by checking the insulation in key areas of your home, like the attic, walls and crawl spaces. Look for any signs of damage, compression or moisture intrusion, and don't hesitate to call in a professional like Lewis Insulation if you're unsure about the condition of your insulation.

Are you ready to make sure your insulation in Plymouth or the surrounding Twin Cities area is ready for the upcoming year? Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

 

Home Insulation and Energy Efficiency: Myths vs. Facts

Homeowners are often bombarded with advice on how to make their homes more energy efficient. One of the most common recommendations is to improve insulation. However, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding insulation and its impact on energy efficiency. At Lewis Insulation, we understand home insulation in Plymouth and want to debunk some of the most common myths.

Myth 1: All Insulation is the Same

Fact: Not all insulation materials are created equal. Different types of insulation have varying levels of effectiveness and suitability for specific areas of your home. There are many different types of insulation materials available, such as fiberglass, cellulose, foam board, and spray foam – each with their own pros and cons.

Myth 2: Insulation Alone Will Drastically Reduce Energy Bills

Fact: While proper insulation is a crucial component of energy efficiency, it's not a standalone solution. A holistic approach to energy efficiency is imperative. This approach often includes factors like air sealing, efficient HVAC systems, and lifestyle choices. It's essential to know that insulation works in conjunction with these elements.

Myth 3: Adding More Insulation is Always Better

Fact: Over-insulating a space can be as problematic as having insufficient insulation. There is an insulation "sweet spot" in each home, where too much insulation beyond that can lead to issues like moisture problems and reduced indoor air quality.

Myth 4: Insulation Stops Heat Transfer Completely

Fact: Insulation slows down heat transfer; it doesn't stop it entirely. Insulation helps to address the principles of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation), however, it does not fully stop heat from transferring.

Myth 5: Insulation is a One-Time Investment

Fact: Insulation can degrade over time and lose its effectiveness. Regular maintenance and insulation inspections are required to ensure it continues to perform optimally.

Myth 6: Insulation Doesn't Matter in Warm Climates

Fact: Insulation is beneficial in both cold and warm climates. Insulation helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduce cooling costs in hot climates by keeping conditioned air in and outdoor heat out.

In the world of home energy efficiency, misinformation abounds. By dispelling these common myths and presenting the facts about insulation and its role in reducing energy consumption, you can make more informed decisions about how to improve your home's efficiency. Remember that achieving a truly energy-efficient home involves a combination of factors, and insulation is just one piece of the puzzle. Stay informed and consult with the professionals at Lewis Insulation when making decisions about insulation upgrades to ensure you get the best results for your home and budget.

Do you need home insulation in Plymouth or the surrounding Twin Cities area? Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

 

4 Myths About Attic Ventilation

As a homeowner, do you understand attic ventilation? As attic ventilation experts in Minneapolis, Lewis Insulation is here to discuss these widely believed myths! If you have any questions about attic ventilation, contact us.

The right attic ventilation can help manage moisture levels, so it’s an especially important topic as it is estimated that 90% of homes have unreasonably high levels! Proper ventilation can protect your belongings, your roof and your insulation.

1. The More Attic Ventilation, The Better

One of the biggest myths we hear is that more attic ventilation is always better. As with most things, more is not always better. Unfortunately, just as is the case with air conditioning units and furnace capacities – more is not always better. While too little attic ventilation is an issue, having too much may be an even bigger risk.

Attic ventilation often comes in the form of roof vents, which create more access to the inside of your home, so having too many can increase the risk of leaks, weak spots for storm damage, or sparks entering your home and causing destruction on the inside.

This leaves the question: how much ventilation is just right? Unlock Goldilocks who needs to test out multiple options to make the right choice, your decision is simpler – just give us a call! Your local professional, like Lewis Insulation, can identify the proper amount of attic ventilation for your home.

2. Roof Vents Equals Attic Ventilation

Unfortunately, simply having roof vents does not mean that you have the right amount of attic ventilation, or even much attic ventilation. Depending on your home, roof and type of roof vents, your roof vents may not do much of anything for your attic ventilation. Each home and roof are unique, so the best way to ensure that you have proper attic ventilation is to hire a professional to install a ventilation system that will work for you.

3. Roof Vents Allow Warm Air to Escape During Winter

Contrary to popular belief, attic vents don’t lower your home’s energy efficiency. Many fall into this belief due to the fact that hot air rises, but if your warm air is rising straight up to your attic and out of roof vents, you have bigger problems than attic ventilation.

Chances are, if warm air is escaping through roof vents during the winter, you have an insulation problem. Unfortunately, to double down, insulation problems often increase moisture – meaning that you likely have a ventilation problem as well.

4. Only Warmer Climates Need Roof Vents

While some may assume roof vents are only there to increase energy efficiency in the summer by releasing excess heat and that therefore colder climates don’t require ventilation, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Increased energy efficiency is a benefit of good attic ventilation, there are other pieces that are better designed for energy efficiency. Shingle color, sun exposure and insulation each contribute more to energy efficiency.

However, attic ventilation is still very necessary, even in cooler climates. In fact, colder climates tend to benefit even more from proper ventilation than warmer ones. Cooler climates experience more condensation in the attic due to the chilly temperatures outside, meaning that the moisture levels are often higher than in warmer climates.

Now that you are armed with a better understanding of attic ventilation for your home in Minneapolis – are you ready to call an expert to make sure your ventilation is up to its job? Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

Pros and Cons of Foam Insulation

Over the winter, insulation acts as one of the primary barriers to heat escaping. In the summer, it keeps the heat out and cool air in. Both of these impact the overall efficiency of your home. Especially when living somewhere with such a wide range of temperatures and winters as harsh as Minnesota experiences, insulation is an important piece to making sure your home stays comfortable all year round. That’s why we’ve consolidated a list of pros and cons about foam insulation in Rogers! Here at Lewis Insulation, we have experience working with multiple kinds of insulation, but foam is one of the most popular – and for a reason!

Pros

Increased energy efficiency.

While this can be said of any insulation choice, spray foam insulation improves the thermal envelope around the home, allowing less air to escape the home and keeping your home warm or cool as desired for a lower cost! Increased energy efficiency can help you spend less in heating and cooling bills, saving you money all year round.

Contributes to structural strength of home.

Foam insulation has also been proven to increase the structural strength of a home! Due to how spray foam insulation is installed and it’s expansive properties, it can increase the durability of the home.

Superior R-value.

When compared to traditional rolled or blown in insulation, foam insulation boasts a higher R-value. This means that less heat can be conducted through the material, making it a more efficient insulator than many of its competitors.

Moisture resistance.

Additionally, foam insulation has the highest moisture resistance of commonly used insulations. In fact, FEMA has classified it as having the highest resistance to flood damage! So, if you live in an area where moisture is a common issue within the house – foam insulation is a great choice!

Cons

Requires professional installation.

Spray foam insulation is not a DIY project. It requires proper and precise mixing of chemicals to ensure an effective installation and can pose safety risks if handled incorrectly. A professional has to undergo training to be able to properly handle foam insulation.

Health concerns during installation.

Due to the nature of mixing chemicals, foam insulation can pose a health risk if the installer is not fitted with the proper PPE. Gloves, eye protection and masks are all strictly required during installation and handling of spray foam installation to avoid any health risks or injuries.

Failing to adhere to manufacturer’s guidelines causes long-term issues.

Without proper experience and understanding of manufacturer’s guidelines, there can be long-term issues caused by unprofessional installation. Failing to adhere to guidelines can cause prolonged odors, oily residue and ineffective insulation. However, a professional understands the manufacturer’s guidelines before going into any job.

Luckily, all of the cons are negated when you choose to hire a professional like Lewis Insulation! We understand the manufacturer’s guidelines for each insulation we work with and ensure that each contractor on site wears the proper PPE to keep them safe.

Is it time to have new foam insulation installed in your home in Rogers or the surrounding Twin Cities area? Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!