Answers matching: insulation
Scroll UpAdding insulation to our attic or replacing old inefficient windows?- Matt, Wauwatosa, WI
Generally insulation will be more cost effective.
Click to read the full answerI would like to have my home audited for energy waste. Who does this and what is the cost?- Matt, Green Bay, WI
We can help you find a consultant!
Click to read the full answerWhat should I do about my old farmhouse with no insulation?- Ron , Oconomowoc, WI
Have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® evaluation.
Click to read the full answerIs denim insulation more "green" than fiberglass insulation?- Mary , Castroville, CA
Yes, it’s considerably more “green."
Click to read the full answerWhat products do I need to insulate furnace pipes in the basement?- Donald , Berlin, WI
Insulating ducts in the basement...
Click to read the full answerShould I insulate my unheated, attached garage?- Marty , Monroe, WI
It would provide minimal value in reducing your bill.
Click to read the full answerShould I insulate the wall cavities of my 1934 home?- Seth, Minnetonka, MN
Properly air sealing and insulating your home can help with heating and cooling.
Click to read the full answerAre there guidelines for appropriate attic insulation levels? What products qualify for tax credits?- Jeff, Brookfield, WI
Here’s some Web sites you can visit for more info.
Click to read the full answerHow many inches of insulation are suggested for an attic in northern WI?- Gre, Brule, WI
It’s not a matter of how many inches. Read on.
Click to read the full answerI have old electric baseboard heaters. What can I do to keep the heat bill down?- Dawn, Rice Lake, WI
Insulating and air sealing is the most cost effective.
Click to read the full answerWhat part of the house is the most important area to air seal?- Harry, Glendale, WI
The attic is the single most important area to air seal.
Click to read the full answerHow can I make the ceilings in our home with vaulted ceilings and 8" joists more energy efficient?- Kevin, Waunakee, WI
One effective retrofit would be to install rigid foam board.
Click to read the full answerWhich heating system (forced air or a heat pump/radiator) would be the best to install?- Holly, Three Lakes, WI
Air sealing and insulation is the best place to begin for energy savings.
Click to read the full answerI have ice dams, should I close my ridge vents?- Sally, Middleton, WI
There are many variables.
Click to read the full answerI am building a new home. Can we make it energy efficient without breaking the bank?- Lynn , Menomonee Falls, WI
Yes and Focus can help.
Click to read the full answerShould you insulate the wall of the roof in the attic and not just the floor?- Sue , Kewaunee, WI
Not if the “wall” is unconditioned on both sides.
Click to read the full answerDoes the tax credit being offered for insulating your home require an R value of 19?- Cindy, Madison, WI
To my knowledge, there is no requirement for specific R-values.
Click to read the full answerDoes foam insulation on the exterior of a home help save on energy costs?- Nate , Kaukauna, WI
As a general rule, it’s a good investment.
Click to read the full answerDo chimney balloons cause condensation?- John, Kilmarnock Ayrshire UK
There are a couple of ways to answer this, read on for both
Click to read the full answerI notice that the snow melts off my roof faster than my neighbors. Is this a good thing?- Donna, Elkhorn, WI
This could mean that you don't have enough insulation in your attic.
Click to read the full answerIs aluminum/reflective sheeting insulation a good type of insulation to install in my home?- Kay, Eau Claire, WI
Proper air sealing & insulation may be a better option.
Click to read the full answerWhat would the specs be to encapsulate a crawlspace?- Kelly , Appleton, WI
It depends on the crawlspace type.
Click to read the full answerDo those aluminum-based sheets of insulation really work?- Warren, Oregon, WI
It is not well suited for Wisconsin’s climate.
Click to read the full answerAre radiant barriers effective as an addition to existing insulation in an attic?- Randy, Appleton, WI
Radiant barriers are not cost effective in Wisconsin.
Click to read the full answerWhat should we look for in urethane insulation?- Nick , MIlwaukee, WI
Yes, please read on.
Click to read the full answerJust read #289 and was wondering, why isn't there more info on the insulating value of foil insulation?- Jack, Ashland, WI
Foil insulation is best suited for southern climates.
Click to read the full answerCould you please tell me more about air sealing?- James , Stoughton, WI
Have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
Click to read the full answerShould I replace the insulation on our home's exterior wall outlets?- Lisa , Madison, WI
No, but there are other areas to address. Read on for more.
Click to read the full answerI have about 7" of insulation in my attic. How much more should be added?- Norm, Fremont, WI
Insulate attics to a minimum of R-50.
Click to read the full answerWhy install a water-resistant exterior covering before insulation?- Ted , De Pere, WI
Wind-driven rain could soak the cavity insulation.
Click to read the full answerI am putting a steel roof on my home, what can I do to insulate the ceiling panels?- Lanny , Chippewa Falls, WI
The panels can be insulated, but make sure it is done right.
Click to read the full answerIs it worthwhile to insulate the roof of an unheated attached garage?- Owen, Milwaukee, WI
There are multiple reasons why you might be experiencing this.
Click to read the full answerHow many inches of insulation is needed to achieve an R-value of 49?- Margarret, Pewaukee, WI
16” – 18” would provide an R-49 value.
Click to read the full answerWhat are cost comparisons for SIPS, ICFs, and spray foam?- Todd , Muskego, WI
The best way is to compare costs is to get quotes.
Click to read the full answerI have workshop with a loft on top. Would you recommend a soffit ridge vent system?- Richard , Eau Claire, WI
Your solution is a good start.
Click to read the full answerIs it worth it to replace my windows with more energy efficient ones?- Jessica, Milwaukee, WI
It can be worth it, but it might not be necessary.
Click to read the full answerI live in a very old house. How can I cut my expensive winter heating bill?- Lenny, Stoughton, WI
We recommend an in-home evaluation.
Click to read the full answerWhy doesn't our home air conditioning unit cool the second floor of the home?- Terri, Green Bay, WI
There may be several reasons.
Click to read the full answerHow should I insulate my brick home?- Chuck, Racine, WI
Insulating brick homes can be problematic.
Click to read the full answerAny suggestions on how to decrease the air leakage around windows without replacing them?- Amy, Wauwatosa, WI
Please visit this Web site for more information.
Click to read the full answerHow can I make my home (which has newspaper insulation) more energy efficient?- Marianne, Milwaukee, WI
If possible, you may want to remove the newspaper insulation.
Click to read the full answerWhat’s better for my home, Tyvek or ½ in. rigid foam?- Kent, Appleton, WI
We’d recommend rigid foam board.
Click to read the full answerWe need to insulate and seal our home but don't know where to start.- Jeff , Kenosha, WI
Have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
Click to read the full answerIs there a formula for quantifying the energy savings for upgrades with the REScheck program?- Joe, Tomah, WI
This formula will work for you; U value X Area (sq. ft.)
Click to read the full answerWould geothermal heating be cost effective with my closed cell polyurethane insulation?- Jim , Racine, WI
Geothermal may not be cost-effective in this case.
Click to read the full answerWhat is your opinion on "Reflectix" or "Solar Shield" products?- Ron, Menasha, WI
With proper installation, “Reflectix” or “Solar Shield” can be effective.
Click to read the full answerDo you know anything about an energy sheet used by NASA that you place in your attic to reduce bills?- Cletus, Altoona, WI
Proper air sealing & insulation may be a better option.
Click to read the full answerOur windows get heavy condensation, do we need an air exchanger?- Judy, Oconomowoc, WI
It is difficult to say for sure, without visiting your home
Click to read the full answerHow can my son heat and cool his two-room school house more efficiently?- Joanne , Mayville, WI
You may want to consider an energy evaluation.
Click to read the full answerHow should I insulate the walls of my 1920's bungalow?- Maggie , Shorewood, WI
Done properly, insulating equates to energy savings.
Click to read the full answerAre there assistance programs to help pay for insulation? And where can I find info on solar?- Judy , Milwaukee, WI
There are programs, and the law protects your right to install renewable energy.
Click to read the full answerHow much energy would an extra inch of insulation save?- Barbara, Reedsburg, WI
Have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
Click to read the full answerI would like to retrofit my 25 year old home with foam insulation. Is it worth it?- Chad, Oconomowoc, WI
It depends on what area of the home you are want to insulate.
Click to read the full answerHow much energy can I save by replacing my windows?- Dave, West Allis, WI
You could save quite a bit depending upon what type of windows you currently have.
Click to read the full answerAre there incentives to help a church insulate a poorly insulated building (currently at R3.5)?- Ron , Appleton, WI
Insulation is sometimes covered in our custom incentives.
Click to read the full answerWould it be cost-effective to replace my 1939 home's original windows?- Gary , Allouez, WI
Having a rating conducted can verify the payback.
Click to read the full answerShould I remove old insulation and air seal before adding new insulation?- Gary , Reedsburg,WI
The short answer is yes. Read on for more.
Click to read the full answerCan you help me compare different types of foam insulation?- Erich , Sun Prairie WI
When installed properly, both adhere.
Click to read the full answerWhat are the federal insulation standards to receive tax credits?- Bill , Baraboo, WI
Visit the ENERGY STAR Web site to learn more.
Click to read the full answerMy 7 year old house was built to code. Should I install additional insulation to achieve R-60?- Wayne , Onalaska, WI
Given a few assumptions, it may not be cost effective
Click to read the full answerWhat is the recommended R-value for attic insulation?- Georgia, Wauwatosa, WI
Visit the ENERGY STAR Web site to learn more.
Click to read the full answerWhat paperwork do I need for the Government Rebate by upgrading my attic insulation to R-50?- Robert, Wauwatosa, WI
Here’s some Web sites you can visit for more info.
Click to read the full answerHow much will I save in energy costs if I insulate my foundation with 1" foam board?- Kathleen , Fond du Lac, WI
In general, the savings this provides is worth the investment.
Click to read the full answerWhat are the advantages/disadvantages of blown vs. batt insulation?- Randy , Brainerd, MN
Insulating the rafters in our northern climate can be tricky.
Click to read the full answerOur current HVAC system is 22 years old. Should we upgrade to reduce our monthly energy bills?- Kate , La Crosse, WI
A home evaluation will tell you what is most cost-effective.
Click to read the full answerHow much energy is wasted with an unused fireplace with the damper closed?- Brad , Fox Point, WI
It depends on how well the damper seals.
Click to read the full answerHow much do you save by insulating and drywalling a basement versus just painting basement walls?- Kathleen, Fond du Lac, WI
There are no energy savings by painting the basement walls.
Click to read the full answerWhat kind of tax credits are available if I decide to insulate my garage?- Kevin , Green Bay, WI
Visit the Tax Incentives Web site
Click to read the full answerShould we insulate the concrete walls of our crawl space?- Patrick and Bridget , Scott, WI
Yes, it would serve you best to do both.
Click to read the full answerIs there an efficiency difference in flooring materials?- Linda, Ridgeway, WI
Either should be fine. Don't forget to insulate!
Click to read the full answerWhat are the R-value recommendations for wall and ceiling insulation?- Wally , Marinette, WI
The U.S. Department of Energy is a good resource for this question!
Click to read the full answer