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!