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!

 

Give Your A/C a Break with These Helpful Tips

High energy bills every summer? Has turning up the AC been your only way to battle the heat? With a hot summer here in Minnesota, we are here to tell you there are other more cost effective ways to keep your home cool this summer. 

At Lewis Insulation we are the trusted name in home insulation for Minnetonka and can help get your A/C the support it needs with effective insulation. What people often don't know is how many places hot air could be entering the home: think around windows, door frames, and crawl spaces, even around recessed lights. If you were to add up all these little cracks and places in your house where warm air gets in, you would see a pretty large hole. That’s where proper home insulation comes in. Not having insulation means heat is seeping into your house and your air conditioner is having to work a lot harder. If you’re really, really committed to not blasting your AC all summer, you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Attic, home and window insulation, for example, are a smart and essential part of your cooling system. 

Here are some additional tips to help you keep your home a comfortable temperature all season long: 

• Plant shade trees. A well-placed tree can make a world of difference for the overall comfort of your home. Planting a tree likely won’t have immediate payoffs, but it’s a great way to both shade your home and add beauty to your property. Vines and other tall shrubs are other options which will have quicker results, but will likely require more maintenance. 
• Keep blinds closed during the day. Up to 30% of unwanted heat in your home is coming through your windows via the greenhouse effect; sunlight and heat enter, but cannot escape. By keeping your blinds close you can prevent unwanted heat from entering the home this way. 
• Cook outdoors. Skip the oven or stove and grill more! Any usage of the oven or even the stove-top is going to heat your home. So dust off that grill and help keep the heat outdoors. 
• Make some key home updates. If the heat in your home is a real problem every year, you’ll want to run the numbers on re-painting your home to a lighter color or replacing your roof. It may even be a need for proper attic insulation and ventilation. 

For more information on home insulation in Minnetonka, call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us and get a Free Estimate.

The Company You Hire for Your Home Insulation Matters

If you’ve noticed some issues with your insulation this winter, then insulation installation will likely be at the top of your home improvement list this spring. And, the warm weather makes now a great time of year to make this type of home improvement. Spring is ideal because the weather is more pleasant and enjoyable, and not as extreme. Getting your home insulated during the spring assures that your home doesn’t overheat while the work is going on. And, Insulating your home during the spring before the summer heat allows you to reap the benefits all summer long. But, no matter the season, it is most definitely not a do-it-yourself project. All home insulation must be handled by the professionals. And, as experts in home insulation for Wayzata we have a few suggestions on what to look for when you hire insulation contractors:

1. A home is the biggest investment you may ever make. And its insulation is an important part of its safety, comfort and efficiency. Hiring professional home insulation contractors means that your home insulation will be properly installed. And that means you could save a lot of money on your home’s heating and cooling costs in the long run. Plus your home will stay comfortable all year round, and insulation helps reduce noise that comes in from the outside.
2. Don’t want to trust just anyone. You want to make sure that your home insulation contractors are reliable and qualified to do the work.
3. In today’s technological world, it is easy to find online reviews of a variety of services. Visiting a website like Angie’s List is a great way to learn about the experiences that other homeowners have had with those insulation contractors.
4. When hiring a home insulation contractor it is important to ensure they are licensed, bonded and insured like we are at Lewis Insulation.
5. They should also offer a variety of insulation choices. Lewis Insulation offers three types: fiberglass, spray foam and cellulose. Your home insulation contractors should be able to tell you which type of insulation is the most appropriate for your unique home.

Are you interested in getting some more information on home insulation for your Wayzata area home, call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us for a Free Estimate.

Choosing the Best Home Insulation

Home insulation is incredibly important. It is what keeps your house toasty warm in the winter and comfortable and cool in the summer. And that is why it is so important to choose the best type of insulation for your home. We are home insulation experts in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, so we thought we would talk about the different types of insulation out there and their advantages.

Fiberglass is one of the most popular and well known types of home insulation out there. It is cost-effective and it comes in rolls that are ready-made for installation. Although this type of insulation looks like installing it could be a do it yourself project, we still recommend that you call in professionals like us to ensure it is properly installed so you and your family can enjoy all of its benefits.

Blown-in cellulose is yet another popular type of home insulation, and this is definitely a job that only professionals like the ones at Lewis Insulation should do! Cellulose is a very effective type of insulation thanks to its high R-value. And thanks to the fact that it is made out of recycled newspaper, it is eco-friendly, which is good news to those who are looking to reduce the impact they make on the planet. Blown-in cellulose is excellent for hard to reach areas of your attic and other crawl spaces.

Closed cell spray foam home insulation is yet another well known and popular type of home insulation. It can add to the structural integrity of your home. And like the other two we have mentioned, closed cell spray foam insulation is best installed by experts who know what they are doing. This home insulation is great for smaller gaps in your home, and it can be installed in weather as cool as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you call us to learn more about the home insulation we offer, we will can meet with you and learn more about your home, your wants and needs and your budget to determine the best type of insulation for you. We will then put you on our schedule as soon as possible so you will not have to wait for your new home insulation for too long!

If you would like more information on home insulation in Minneapolis, call us at Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.