Our last two blog posts have detailed a few frequently asked questions from the Insulation Contractors Association of America’s helpful website. Today, we’re following up with those last few FAQs. At Alamance Insulation and Gutters, we’ve got all your insulation and gutter needs covered. Serving areas in central North Carolina such as Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, and High Point, we provide excellent services and products to our loyal customers. If you have questions about insulation, please don’t hesitate to contact Alamance Insulation and Gutters. We’re happy to help!
- Why hire a professional insulation contractor rather than a home improvement contractor or general contractor? ICAA-member professional insulation contractors devote their time to insulation contracting services and focus on your energy conservation and comfort. Proper installation is essential for insulation to perform properly. Knowledge of vapor retarders, air infiltration, ventilation, recessed lighting, and water pipes are just a few of the areas critical to installation techniques. Professional insulation contractors have access to a wide variety of training, are familiar with local codes and regulations, and can offer guidance about the type and amount of insulation to be used.
- Can insulation help reduce unwanted sound? Yes. Insulation is an efficient way to reduce unwanted sound, and it is commonly used to provide a more comfortable and quieter interior environment. Insulation effectively reduces noise transmission through floors and through interior and exterior walls. A professional insulation contractor can help you select the proper insulation for your needs. Visit Owens Corning’s Quiet Zone for information on controlling noise.
- What should I know before hiring an insulation contractor?Consider focusing your search on insulation contractors who are members of the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA), the nonprofit trade association of insulation contractors and suppliers. You can find contractors in your area by visiting the ICAA contractor locator page. ICAA members must subscribe to the ICAA Members Code of Ethics. Get a written estimate before agreeing to any work.
Before you hire a professional insulation contractor, take a look at Title 16, Section 460 of the Federal Trade Commission’s Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that consumers are provided essential pre-purchase information about R-values. Find out what insulation contractors must tell their customers. Local or state governments may have additional rules and regulations regarding consumer contracts.
- Where can I get more information about insulation?
- General: U.S. Department of Energy and Energy Star, a service of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Fiberglass, Rock and Slag Wool Insulation: North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
- Cellulose Insulation: Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA)
- Spray Foam: Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA)
- For a “green home,” do I really need a high-efficiency furnace, high-efficiency appliances, and new windows?It’s better to go low-tech according to Lane Burt, a building-energy expert with the Natural Resource Defense Council. Hire a pro to find all the leaks in your home and plug them up. This should cost much less than a new heating system, so you won’t be heating the outside of your home. The best energy efficiency measure you can take is insulating and air sealing your home, according to McKinsey & Company.
A March 2014 report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy looked at efficiency programs in 20 states from 2009 to 2012 and found an average cost of only 2.8 cents per kilowatt-hour – about one-half to one-third the cost of alternative new electricity resource options.