What You Can Do to Conserve Energy at Home

At Creative Conservation, we invest time and effort in helping homeowners live comfortably, while saving money and conserving energy! Are you looking to curb costs and help your home run more efficiently? Follow these simple tips:

HANDS OFF THE THERMOSTAT!

Dress for the season!  In the winter, instead of bumping that thermostat up, put on another layer of clothing.  In the summer, stay cool with light loose-fitting clothing to avoid having to take the temperature down.  If you have a smart thermostat, automatically set more efficient temperatures at night or when you are away from the home.  Keeping your thermostat on a consistent setting is a huge but super easy way to save on energy costs. Use the sun’s warmth to your advantage in the winter by opening those shades, cool your house down in the summer by keeping them closed.

TURN OFF AND UNPLUG!

When you leave a room, make sure all lights, TV, etc. are turned off! Additionally, you can use LED bulbs to conserve energy. During the day, try relying on natural light.  Natural light is not just an energy saving technique, it increases serotonin levels which is a psychological boost! Also, be sure to unplug electronics when they are not in use, like computers, coffee makers, wall chargers, and printers.

ENSURE YOUR HOME IS PROPERLY INSULATED!

It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool your home, especially during the winter and summer months. Get rid of gaps in windows and doors and check the foundation in your basement for cracks.  At Creative Conservation, we work with you to understand the unique needs required to make your home as energy efficient as possible.  We can recommend an insulation solution that is right for your home.  Give us a call today!

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Where In Your Home Should You Insulate?

A home that stays comfortable all year ‘round starts with proper home insulation! The goal of insulation is to create a “thermal envelope” around your home, keeping your home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer! To achieve this, you need to insulate more places in your home than you might think. For optimal energy efficiency, your home should be insulated from top to bottom – the roof down to the foundation! Here’s where you should insulate:

Attic
Attic insulation ensures that heat will not escape through the roof in cooler months and prevent cool outside air from flowing in. Is your attic insulation thick enough? Attic insulation should have an equivalent of R-30, or about 10 to 13 inches. If you have less than this, your home could certainly benefit from adding more! Before insulating, be sure to seal air leaks and make any necessary repairs to your roof.

Crawlspaces
Approximately 15% of home’s have crawlspaces! Crawlspaces have many benefits, but can become a source of problems, like mold, created by moisture, and pests.  Both of these issues can be costly in the long run if not addressed.   Insulation is the key to increase energy efficiency, control moisture, prevent infestation, and improve the structural integrity of your home.

Basement
Even if your basement is unfinished, adding insulation can help add warmth to this area of your home and keep the rest of your home comfortable as well! In the basement of your home, insulation has the added benefit of protecting against moisture, reducing the chance of mold growth and you don’t have to worry as much about pests.

Finished Room Over Garage (F.R.O.G.)
A room over the garage is great space for all types of uses.  Because this room is over an area that is exposed to the outside every time the garage door opens, properly insulating it is very important.  Insulation in the exterior walls, the ceiling and the floor will ensure this room will be comfortable all year round.

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Insulation Types: Which is Right for Your Home?

Are you wondering what type of insulation is right for your home? Whether you are looking to insulate an existing home or building a new home, we have insulation solutions for you! The insulation you choose depends on several factors, including your local climate, budget, project scope, and priorities, like energy efficiency and pest control.

The most common types of home insulation include:

Spray Foam Insulation
Cellulose Insulation
Fiberglass Insulation

Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam is an insulation and air barrier material that can be used in attics and crawl spaces in new and existing homes and in the walls in new construction.  Spray foam is the most energy efficient insulation because it completely filling gaps and crevices controlling air flow and deterring the growth of mold and mildew.  It won’t compress, sag or settle over time.  Spray foam insulation provides a long-term insulation solution for your home.

Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is made up of recycled materials that have been treated with a fire-retardant agent. It has the highest amount of recycled content of any other type of insulation, making it the most environmentally friendly insulation! Cellulose is thick and dense, allowing it to effectively settle into spaces and obstructions in walls and attics. As a more cost-effective insulation than spray foam, it provides great energy efficiency as well as pest and sound control!

Fiberglass Insulation
Since its introduction in 1938, fiberglass insulation has remained one of the most common methods of home insulation. It is available in two forms – rolled batts or loose-fill, which both provide the same amount of energy performance when installed properly. Fiberglass is fire retardant, provides sound control and the most cost-effective, while still providing a good R-value performance.

Still wondering what solution is right for your specific project? Give us a call today for a free consultation!

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Spray Foam Insulation and Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can have an enormous impact on your health – a fact that is often overlooked! In the short-term, poor indoor air quality can aggravate allergies, asthma, and cause discomfort. In the long-term, poor air quality can lead to respiratory illnesses and other serious health issues. Your home is your sanctuary – make sure it’s keeping you safe! Spray foam insulation can help.

Keep pollutants out

When properly installed, spray foam insulation keeps harmful pollutants out of your home by fully sealing the cracks and spaces in your home and controlling air transfer. Allergens, dust, and other pollutants can creep in your home as a result of improperly sealed attics, crawl spaces, and more. The unique property of spray foam allows it to fill spaces that other insulation cannot reach.

Prevent mold and mildew

The same properties that allow spray foam to keep pollutants out of your home also allow it to prevent air and moisture from penetrating the same area! Because air and moisture are a food source for mold and mildew, eliminating air leaks can prevent mold and mildew from growing in your home. While traditional insulation can absorb and retain water, spray foam insulation is air sealed – so you don’t have to worry!

Air leaks can be harmful to your health and your budget! Prevent them from happening and keep your family comfortable and healthy all year long with our sprayed insulation systems.

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Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Is your home energy efficient? Sustainability and energy efficiency have become increasingly popular topics over the years. An energy efficient home is better for the environment, better for your health, and your wallet! Whether you are looking to build a house from the ground up, remodel an existing home, or purchase a new home, there are steps you can take to achieve a more energy efficient home.

Proper insulation

Proper insulation is key. Ensure your windows, doors, attic, and walls are properly sealed and insulated to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer! At Creative Conservation, we provide foam insulation and sprayed systems to keep your space comfortable, efficient, and environmentally-friendly.

Sustainable building materials

When building or remodeling a home, choose sustainable building materials! Materials like reclaimed wood, recycled steel, and concrete can go along way in making your home more eco-conscious compared to conventional building materials.

Efficient appliance and utilities

Your home’s appliances and utilities are put to good use every single day – make sure they are using energy efficiently! Inspect HVAC systems for leaking duct systems and upgrade to low-energy systems, such as LED lightbulbs and low-flow toilets. It is also possible to find more energy efficient versions of common appliances like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and more!

Solar power

While installing solar panels can be expensive, they can save energy and associated costs for your home over the long run and are becoming a popular way to heat water and generate electricity in your home.

At Creative Conservation, we are passionate about helping homeowners increase savings and their quality of life! Give us a call today at 800-798-1127 to discuss your home insulation needs!

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