Yes, basement insulation needs a vapor barrier due to its susceptibility to moisture seeping in from the outside of the house. You should install a moisture barrier before you install insulation or purchase insulation that comes prebuilt with a moisture barrier to avoid water damage in your insulation and costly mold and water remediation expenses.
Water heater blanket prices range from $20 to $40 on average, though you typically won’t need to spend more than $30 for all the tools and materials required for installation—which include the blanket itself, heavy-duty scissors, and electrical tape. Blankets with higher R-values will also be slightly higher in price.
The heat loss through a poorly insulated attic when you’re running your furnace or heat pump during cold weather can be as high as 25%. This means you could see significantly higher energy costs to make up for this heat loss. The cost of adding insulation to the attic may eventually pay for itself through lower energy bills. If you decide to add a radiant barrier too, the radiant barrier cost may also pay for itself over time.
Pipes in your house can freeze after six hours or so if you lose power and temperatures are below freezing. You can prepare for potential power outages by winterizing your pipes with insulation. Also, whenever temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, turn your faucets on very low and leave them dripping until temperatures rise.
R-value stands for resistance value and is a number assigned to insulation that states how good the insulation is at heat transference (insulation). The R-value of injection foam is around 4 which homeowners will be happy to know is actually quite good. Another benefit of injection foam versus fiberglass foam is that the colder it gets, the more injection foam retains its resistance properties, whereas fiberglass tends to lose its efficiency in colder temperatures.
The Upper Sandusky, OH homeowners’ guide to insulation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Insulating your attic can massively improve your home’s efficiency and reduce electric bills. Use this guide to find out what attic insulation will cost you.
Removing old insulation may be necessary for upgrading your insulation. Keep reading to see if you should remove old insulation before adding new insulation.
If your home’s temperature is uncomfortable or your energy bill is spiking, you should check your insulation. We'll help you find out if you should replace it.