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At a minimum, blown-in insulation lasts 20 to 30 years. Cellulose and sheep’s wool come from natural materials, so they likely max out at around 30 years. Fiberglass and rockwool feature artificial materials that boast lengthy lifespans, up to 50 years, or even longer in some cases. As always, this timeline assumes you don’t run into any issues, such as flooding or mold, that shorten the lifespan.

Spray foam insulation doesn’t do well around heat sources. Therefore, You can use spray foam insulation to seal around HVAC boots that penetrate through the drywalls or around where wrapped ducts connect to the boots, but we don’t recommend using spray foam insulation to encapsulate your air ducts. Spray foam insulation on air ducts is also less effective compared to duct wraps.

The cost to install or upgrade insulation generally ranges from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. The final price depends on factors such as the type of insulation chosen, the total area to be covered (home size), and local labor costs.

It’s technically possible to install loose-fill cellulose insulation without a blower, but it’s much more time-consuming, tedious, and dangerous. You’ll need to wear the proper protective coverings to handle the cellulose after it’s been doused in boric acid; use a shovel when you can to transport the material from the bag into the wall cavity.

That said, if you purchase cellulose materials at a home improvement store, ask if they rent out blowers for free or at a discounted rate. In many cases, if you buy the material from the store, they’ll rent out the blower at no extra cost.