Five Reasons to Call A+ For Insulation Installation This Winter
Good home insulation will keep you comfortable year round, but many older homes have too little insulation, making it impossible to keep the weather outside where it belongs. A+ can help. Our dedicated crew will improve the insulation in just about any structure, but why should you trust us?
We’re licensed, insured, and professional.
Our crew knows how to improve the insulation in your home, and we have years of experience doing just that. Whether you need added insulation in your attic or want the best blown in blanket insulation for your new home addition, A+ can handle the job. Each project is overseen by an on-site manager, so you’ll always know your home is in good hands.
We’ll treat your home as if it was our own.
Installing insulation is an inherently messy process, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the mess. Our crew will keep the debris contained while we’re working and clean up once we’re done. We promise your space will be as clean as it was before you called us — and maybe even a little cleaner.
We’ll help you understand your options.
When you trust A+, you’ll get the best advice possible from our experienced technicians. We’ll discuss the options with you and make recommendations based on what your home needs most. If you have questions, we want you to ask them! You should always know what’s going on, every step of the way. We’ll even provide you with photos of the work area before we start, while we’re working, and after we’re finished, so you can track the progress.
We’ll be there on time.
We know how frustrating it is to wait for a crew to arrive, only to have them reach your house four hours after your appointment. When we schedule an appointment, we stick to that time. Before we start work, we’ll walk you through the area to explain what we’ll do, where we’ll add insulation, and the savings you’ll see.
We offer a comprehensive estimate.
Our experts will tell you what type of insulation you need, where you need it, and how much it will cost for free. You decide if you like the price, or if you’d rather look elsewhere with no obligation and no up-front costs. We’ll even give you a free home energy evaluation so you can better understand where your home will benefit most from added insulation.
Trust the experts at A+ for all your insulation needs in Kansas City. We promise to give you the best service possible. Contact us today at (913) 648-9290 or (816) 944-317 for more information or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Retrofitting Insulation Isn’t as Messy as You’d Think
Heat rises. It’s a simple fact of nature that makes it essential to have quality attic insulation in your home. The Kansas City area standard is to insulate your attic to R-49, or about 18.5 inches deep. Take a look at yours. Do you have any at all? If so, does it completely cover the floor joists and reach all the way to the eaves on all sides? If not, you know you need more, but you’re terrified at the thought of such a mess. Here at A+ Insulation, we want to set your mind at ease! With decades of industry experience, our team of expert technicians will treat your home like our own homes and create very little mess.
Types of Attic Insulation
Batt or Roll – Also known as blanket insulation, batt is spun fiberglass attached to a facing, usually made of kraft paper, aluminum foil or vinyl sheeting. These facing materials both act as a vapor barrier and facilitate in the ease of installation as they generally come in easy-to-handle rolls that fasten to joists by this facing material.
Loose-fill – Made from fiberglass as well, loose-fill is also known as blown-in insulation. We offer both Insulsafe SP and Cellulose for attics. Insulsafe has great thermal efficiency, coverage and sound absorption. It is also non-combustible. Cellulose acts similarly to a liquid when applied, wrapping itself around obstructions and filling gaps more easily than batt insulation. Acting as a blanket around the inside of your home, cellulose has excellent thermal efficiency as well.
These All Sound Messy!
… And they are in the hands of the careless and inexperienced! Our technicians have been at this so long that they truly have it down to a science. Adding insulation to your attic, being an enclosed and isolated space, actually makes it easier for our technicians to keep your home neat and tidy. No insulation is ever unpacked outside the confines of the attic. Dusty and dirty tools and equipment can stay up there as well.
Itchy Business
Trust us when we say we know all about the itch associated with fiberglass dust. The last thing we want to do is leave any trace of it in your home. We begin our precautions with a runner carpet made of plastic, leading from outside to the most direct way to your attic. We will never set foot on anything but this plastic. Upon quick and efficient completion of your job, we remove our personal protection equipment outdoors where it cannot spread any dust throughout your home. We then carefully remove the plastic runner and vacuum ourselves out the door. Our goal is to leave your home even neater than we found it, as your complete satisfaction is paramount. We want you to be thrilled with your new investment and will always go above and beyond to make it so.
Simple Winter Energy Saving Tips You Can Start Using Today
As winter quickly approaches and settles in, we familiarize ourselves once again with the routine of heating our homes and paying that dreaded energy bill. We all are extremely eager to reduce that monthly expense and A+ Insulation is here to help!
Efficient energy use is important year-round, but even more so in the winter months. In addition to insulation installation, there are numerous simple energy-saving actions that one can take to reduce energy bills this winter. Outlined below are various inexpensive tips and investment-based steps that can help save you money:
11+ Inexpensive Ways to Lower Your Heating Bills
Turn Down Your Thermostat
While 72 degrees may feel best, you can turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees and wear a sweater to feel warmer. For every degree you lower it, you’ll save up to 5% on heating costs. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it’s a worthwhile investment that allows you to automatically control your home’s temperature at different times of the day.
Seal Leaks to Stop Heat from Escaping
Windows and doors are the most obvious places that need caulking and weather stripping. But don’t forget to check for pipes that travel through a wall like under sinks, near appliances, and in closets. Caulk works best for small openings while expanding foam may be better for large gaps.
Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater
Heating your water costs energy and money too. Lower your water heater to 120 degrees and you could save 7-11% on your water heating costs.
Insulate Your Water Heater
Save up to 10% on water heating costs by wrapping your water heater’s tank with insulation, especially if it’s an older model, which will have minimal internal insulation. If it’s a gas water heater, be sure to leave the air intake vent uncovered.
Replace Your Furnace Filter Making sure your furnace filter is clean will help your furnace run more efficiently. A tune-up is also a good idea as a clean, lubricated, and properly adjusted furnace will save up to 5% of heating costs.
Open Drapes and Blinds on Sunny Days Take advantage of the sun’s natural power to heat your home. Let it shine in your windows during the day and close the blinds or curtains once the sun goes down to keep heat from escaping.
Check Your Fireplace Damper
An unlit fireplace is basically an escape route for heat. Make sure your damper is tightly closed when not in use. Keeping your damper closed can prevent as much as 8% of your heated air from going up the chimney.
Don’t Leave Exhaust Fans On It may seem like a small thing, but when left running, kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans can blow out a house full of heated air in a short time.
Shorten Showers Did you know that showers account for about 2/3 of your water heating costs? Cutting your showers in half will reduce your water heating costs by about a third.
Install Low-Flow Showerheads Low-flow showerheads and faucets can reduce your hot water expenses. You’ll save 10-16% on water heating costs.
Replace Light Bulbs
Replace your old incandescent bulbs with Energy Star compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights use 75% less energy than incandescent lights.
Small Things That Pay Off Over Time While these things won’t make a huge impact on their own, done consistently over time, they will help you reduce your energy use:
Turn off lights
Use the cold water setting on your washer when possible and reduce its energy use by 75%
Clean the lint trap regularly on your dryer
Use the energy saver mode on your computer(s)
Eliminate “vampire” energy or standby loss by unplugging electronics and chargers when not in use and switching off energy strips
Unplug the extra fridge if you don’t need it as it can add 10-25% to your electric bill
5 Investments That Will Lower Your Heating Bills
Replace Appliances with Energy Star Models If you need new appliances, be sure to purchase Energy Star certified products like furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters, etc. Energy Star rated appliances and also electronic products use significantly less energy to do the job. For example, a new Energy Star washing machine uses half the energy of a standard washing machine.
Install a Programmable Thermostat Besides making sure your home is comfortable, a programmable thermostat can save up to 15% on energy costs.
Increase Ceiling Insulation
If your ceiling is uninsulated or scantily insulated, consider increasing your insulation to up to R-38 to reduce heating costs by 5-25%.
Seal Your Ducts
Leaking ductwork accounts for more than 25% of heat loss. Consider hiring a contractor like A+ Insulation for duct sealing. We can test your ducts and repair leaks and restrictions in your ductwork.
Install Energy Efficient Windows Choosing Energy Star windows can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%.
As temperatures begin to drop we are reminded how important it is to keep the heat in and the cold air out. The tips and ideas listed above are all simple, easy hints that anyone can implement. Whether it’s a small change that pays off overtime or an immediate investment that can drastically decrease your monthly energy bill instantly, putting these tips into action can truly help to reduce costs and save you money. A+ Insulation is here to help with any questions you may have. Our trusted staff has the necessary skills and valuable experience to assist you with your insulation and energy-saving needs.
If you think your home needs insulation, please call us for a free home energy evaluation to pinpoint where your home is losing the most energy. Call us at (816) 268-7511 or (913) 281-2250.
Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation, Just The Facts
Closed cell spray foam insulation is growing in popularity across the country in homes of every shape and size. Why? Lots of reasons. For instance:
It has a high R-value.
It doesn’t settle.
It expands and conforms to any space.
It prevents air leakage.
It minimizes the growth of mold and mildew.
It reduces drafts and noise.
It’s good at keeping out insects and other pests.
What does all that mean? I’m glad you asked…
High R-Value
Closed cell spray foam insulation has one of the highest R-values available. The R-value of insulation indicates how effectively the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better its resistance.
No Settling
Unlike conventional insulation which flattens or “settles” over time, closed cell spray foam resists settling due to its rigidity and stability.
Ability to Conform to Surfaces
Closed cell spray foam insulation works great in hard to reach nooks and crannies in places like crawl spaces and attics. Since it’s sprayed on, it penetrates every inch of the area being insulated better than anything else can.
Minimizes Air Leaks
Minimizing air leakage reduces the load on heating and cooling (HVAC) systems, saving money.
Minimizes Mold and Mildew
Air infiltration causes condensation, which can lead to mold and mildew problems. Since closed cell spray foam insulation minimizes and even prevents air leaks, it eliminates the condensation problem.
Fewer Drafts and Less Noise
Closed cell spray foam insulation reduces drafts for increased comfort. It also absorbs sound to reduce noise.
Less Chance of Insects and Other Pests Invading Your Home
Because of its ability to fill every nook and cranny, there’s less chance for bugs and rodents to invade your space!
Given its many advantages, you’d be hard pressed to find a better insulating product. A+ Insulation is the go-to Kansas City insulation installer for closed cell spray foam insulation. Contact us today and start enjoying its benefits in your home, too!
Is Your House Winter Ready? 6 Things You Need To Do Right Away
The air is getting crisp and the leaves are changing in Kansas City, fall is here and winter is coming! It’s time for all those fall home maintenance tasks. We all want to ensure our homes stay warm and in good repair all winter long. Here is a handy fall checklist for homeowners from A+ Insulation to keep you on track:
1. Seal Cracks and Gaps
Even tiny cracks and gaps around windows and doors let in the cold winter air and allow the heat to get outside. This means your home is much less comfortable than it should be and your electric bills are much higher than necessary. Spend some time this fall checking for cracks and gaps. Fill in cracks with caulk as needed, and replace any weatherstripping that is missing or old and worn out.
2. Reverse Your Fans
A lot of homeowners mistakenly think of ceiling fans as a summer-only household device, but fans are important in the winter too. Experts recommend switching your fans to a clockwise direction and running them on low in the winter.
3. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
Before the snow starts falling, it’s time to get up on a ladder and inspect your roof and gutters.
4. Have Your Furnace Serviced
Annual maintenance is an important way to keep your furnace running efficiently and maximizing its lifespan. Your heating and cooling company should check for any issues and make repairs as needed.
5. Trim Your Bushes and Trees
Overgrown bushes and trees pose many potential hazards for homeowners. Winter storms can cause too-close branches to crash into your roof or windows. Fall is the best time to trim your bushes and trees before the winter weather makes it impossible.
6. Check Your Insulation
If your insulation is lacking, your home will feel cold and drafty no matter how high you turn up the heat. If you’re not sure whether your home has enough insulation, have us come by to measure your insulation and add more if needed. A properly insulated home is much more comfortable and results in lower energy bills year-round.
Complete these fall tips around your home to gain peace of mind, a more comfortable home, lower energy bills, and to prevent damage to your house.
Need help to make your home more energy efficient? Contact us or call us at (913) 281-2250 or (816) 268-7511 and learn how the A+ Insulation experts can make your home energy efficient.
The 3 Most Important Parts of Your Home to Insulate
Insulation is critical in maintaining comfortable temperatures within your home and reducing energy costs due to heating and cooling. Whether during a sweltering summer or a frigid winter, the right insulation in the right places is critical. Here are the three most important parts of your home to insulate and why.
Why Insulating the Attic Is Important
Your attic poses two different problems that can affect your heating and cooling costs. Not only does air escape from the attic, but outside air also seeps into the attic. You may feel warm and cozy downstairs in the winter, but heat rises and can easily leak out of the attic without proper insulation. Quality loose fill or batt fiberglass insulation prevents comfortable air from escaping, stops uncomfortable air from coming in and reduces energy costs whether blown in or installed in large rolls.
Exterior walls need insulation for the simple reason that they are the barrier between the inside and outside of your home. In winter, heat seeps out through the walls and during the summer heat seeps back into the walls. Proper insulation in the walls helps prevent this cycle of heat loss and heat gain. Options include batted fiberglass and blow-in options, both effective if installed properly leaving no gaps.
Uninsulated floors in unheated spaces, such as garages or crawl spaces, are an easy place for cool air to sneak in. Draped foundation or spray foam insulation added to these areas prevents air from rising up through the floor and reduces the likelihood of moisture and possible issues with mold. If there is a chilly basement under the main floor of your home, insulation prevents the cool air from rising and makes the basement temperature more comfortable for use.
Don’t let leaks and gaps come between you and a comfortable temperature in your home. Contact us online or call us at (913) 281-2250 and learn how our insulation experts can make your home more energy efficient.
Why Is Fall the Best Time to Insulate Your Home?
The leaves are changing. Pumpkin flavored coffee, cookies, and pies are available, and Halloween candy and decorations fill the stores. Fall is upon us. As the leaves begin to change color, and the temperature begins to cool, you should think about more than holiday decorations. Ask yourself, is your house prepared for the coming winter cold?
If not, don’t wait until you’re sitting at home, bundled in a blanket, while sipping hot coffee just to keep warm to do something about it. Too many people wait until the problem reaches its peak to fix it. This is unwise when it comes to insulation. If you think, or know, that your house simply isn’t prepared for the coming cold, you should seriously consider adding insulation before the cold weather strikes. When you consider the benefits, you’ll see that fall is the best time to insulate your home.
You Won’t Freeze
If you wait until you start to notice that icy cold wind blowing against your skin inside of your home, you’ve waited too long. If you wait until the winter months, instead of installing insulation in the fall, you’ll freeze inside of your own home, a place you should feel comfortable. Don’t turn yourself into a human popsicle by waiting until the problem grows before you fix it. Get ahead of it, and save yourself some shivering, bundling, and far too much caffeine intake, by insulating your home during the fall season.
Insulation will likely cost the same in the winter as it does it the fall, however, you’ll save quite a bit on electricity bills by insulating earlier. Since insulation makes your home more energy efficient, which will lower the cost of your electric bills, insulating early on, when the weather is just starting to cool down, is the smart choice.
If you insulate your home during the fall, your house will start saving you money the moment you turn on the heater when the winter winds start to blow. Don’t waste electricity, waiting for the cold to arrive before you address the issue. Get the insulation during the fall so that, when you do have to turn on the heater, your home is already prepped to keep the heat in and the cold out.
When it comes to caring for your home, waiting until a problem grows isn’t sound advice. You want to get ahead of the issue, and save yourself some time and money in the process. Insulation is no different. Installing it when the weather is pleasant will ensure that you’re comfortable in your home during the insulation process, and it will save you money during the winter months when the furnace is active. Wouldn’t you rather save up for the holidays instead of having to splurge on high utility bills and new insulation in December?
Don’t put off until later what you can do today. It’s great advice for life, and it’s great advice for maintaining your home. For A+ Insulation and quality service, please contact us online or call us at (913) 281-2250 today.
Bring Peace Back to Your Home with Soundproofing Insulation
Families tend to do different things at different times. The kids in the next room want to watch a movie, but mom or dad has work to do, so they need quiet. Sometimes these conflicting wants lead to arguments, and nobody ends up happy. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could all have what you want? You can, and that’s why A+ Insulation offers soundproofing insulation to Kansas City families.
Which Rooms Need Soundproofing Insulation?
Soundproofing insulation will improve your quality of life by helping to reduce noise pollution inside. No matter what your home is like, you can benefit from the decrease in noise and increase in peace. Soundproofing insulation works wonders in:
Home Movie Theaters – Let’s face it, putting money into a fantastic speaker system is great, but if you can’t turn it up, it just goes to waste. Soundproofing your home theater will allow the kids to watch their fill throughout the day, while mom and dad enjoy an evening film in solitude without waking the young ones.
Children’s Rooms and Baby Nurseries – Soundproofing a child’s room while they’re young helps ensure that once they get to sleep, they stay asleep. As they get older, it will help deaden the sound of their loud music eliminating the potential for many arguments.
Home Offices – Working from home is excellent; people are doing it more and more as time goes on. Unfortunately, nothing says “unprofessional” like ambient sounds (think barking dogs, doorbells, and the washing machine down the hall) that come through their end of the line.
Playrooms – Kids are loud, and some of their toys are even louder. Things are beeping and kabooming all over the place while mom and dad are trying to focus. Soundproofing the playroom will reduce the headache-inducing drone of some of the worst electronic toys.
Soundproofing insulation is also great for properties trying to keep sound out. Do you live near a train, busy road, construction, or simply have noisy neighbors? Your home should be peaceful and relaxing so that you can get the rest you need to thrive. No more sleepless nights due to loud and obnoxious sounds from the street!
How Does Installation of Soundproofing Insulation Work?
In new construction and additions, we have the ability to consult with you and determine the best possible insulation for your home from the beginning. Don’t worry though, we also apply soundproofing as a retrofit in existing residences. We drill small holes in the wall and blow in a high density insulation. This high density insulation traps sound creating a soundproofing effect. We discreetly repair the walls leaving the room looking as good as new.
If you have multiple insulation needs, we offer a few options that do double duty. For maximum soundproofing effect, consider spray foam insulation. This material provides both excellent thermal and acoustical insulation
Whether you’re looking to soundproof a single room in your house or want to reduce external noise entering the entire building, A+ Insulation has you covered. Our attention to detail and customer satisfaction is second to none.
If you’d like more information regarding soundproofing your home, please call A+ Insulation at (913) 281-2250 or (816) 268-7511 or contact us online. We’d love to hear from you!
New AC & Furnace with Old Ductwork Reduces Savings
Do you ever feel like your new heating and cooling system is just as inefficient as the old
one it replaced? With temperatures in Kansas City exceeding 100 degrees in the summer and dropping below 10 degrees in the winter, it is important to have fully functioning systems. Newer furnaces and air conditioners have an HVAC efficiency of up to 90 percent, but you aren’t getting the full benefit with an improperly designed duct system. The team at A+ Insulation helps break down the problems with old ductwork.
How could these hi-tech heating and cooling systems be as inefficient as a 1980s-era system? The loss of energy efficiency caused by leaky or collapsed ducts, stuck dampers, and non-functioning or dirty air intakes is costing you. Your ducts require more energy to maintain the desired thermostat temperature. This could be why your energy bills have been hundreds of extra dollars already this year!
Don’t Make Your Systems Work Too Hard
Optimal performance of the heating and cooling system can only be obtained through a well-designed and properly sealed duct system. A well-designed duct system will have an efficiency of over 80% leading to reduced cooling and heating costs and a more comfortable indoor environment.
Ducts are sealed with materials, such as caulk and tape, that eventually dry out. Once the seals dry out and lose their integrity, the airflow is impeded. This results in thermal loss due to cooled or heated air escaping through these leaks.
Your system could be losing 30 percent of the air that moves through your ducts due to leaks, holes, or improper sizing and connections. This forces the heating or cooling system to work significantly harder to maintain the desired temperature. Protect the longevity of your systems by making sure they don’t have to work excessively due to leaky ducts.
Breathe Easy with Upgraded Ducts
A healthier and more comfortable environment is possible with properly functioning ducts. Balancing pressure throughout rooms decreases temperature variance. Rooms stay closer to your desired temperature. Another benefit of properly designed and sealed ductwork is significantly improvedair quality.
With upgraded duct work, your systems don’t have to work harder to compensate for the loss of heated or cooled air that escapes. Your home’s temperature won’t drastically vary room to room. You won’t have to worry about your system pulling in moldy and unhealthy air from attics and basements through the return ducts.
Save Yourself Some Money
When it comes to energy bills, where does your money go? During the hottest and coldest times of the year, significant extra energy is required to support the heating and cooling systems that are operating on a near-24/7 basis. As a result, there is a significant energy cost adjustment factor for energy drawn during this period.
Don’t sweat or shiver needlessly any longer. Get your ducts in a row by calling the professionals from A+ Insulation at (913) 281-2250 or (816) 268-7511 or contact us online.
Don’t Forget to Insulate the Most Neglected Room in Your Home
However, one of the most neglected spaces in most homes is the garage. Failing to properly insulate the garage allows air seepage and heat to flow in and out throughout the year, cooling your home in winter and heating it in summer.
Homeowners Don’t Consider the Garage a Room
One of the reasons the garage is so neglected is because many homeowners don’t consider the garage a room. People think about insulating their attics, their walls, and even their basements, but the lowly garage many times goes unnoticed. This is usually because homeowners see this area as just a place to park the cars and store the trash cans and lawn mower.
Insulate the Wall the Garage Shares with the House First
One of the most important places to insulate in your garage will be the wall it shares with your home. This is the point where most of the heat transfer occurs between the garage and interior of your home. Heat transfers into your home during warmer months and out during the colder ones. Insulating this wall can start saving you money right away by reducing the amount of time you need to run your furnace or air conditioner.
Garage Doors Don’t Provide Much of a Temperature Barrier
The second place you’ll want to take care of is the garage door. Most garage doors are thin, and the many joints create spaces where air can freely flow. More often than not, air that moves through the thin garage door is what heats/cools the garage, and eventually ends up heating/cooling your home. That being said, insulating the garage door is a must!
Garage Insulation Options
When it comes to garage insulation, you have a few different options:
Fiberglass – If you’ve ever seen that pink, cotton candy-like insulation in a home, then you’re already familiar with fiberglass insulation. It’s relatively cheap and widely used, though the installation is tough to do yourself. To be effective, fiberglass insulation requires walling-in.
Blown-In Insulation – For those who already have drywall installed around their garage, but don’t have any insulation, then blown-in is what you need. To install it, we will come in and open up a hole in the wall, pump in insulation, and then patch up the hole. Blown-in insulation is quick and easy, and we can often complete the job within a few hours.
Insulating the garage is not an easy job; there are several building and safety codes that exist regarding installation and removal that must complied with. At A+ Insulation, we have a OSHA certified supervisor on the team who ensures the work we do is safe and complies with all regulations. We’ll give you all of your options and let you know which ones make the most sense for your home and your budget.
If you want the job done right by experienced professionals, then give A+ Insulation a call at (913) 281-2250 or (816) 268-7511. You can also contact us online.
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Can you send us the names of the three young men that did our insulation yesterday? They were a dynamic crew! We loved having them in our home. They were all equally, bright, polite, mannerly, engaged with us & each other, neat, clean, fast & extremely pleasant. We can already feel a huge difference in this house. We think it was worth every penny & we are anxious to get the attic insulated soon as well.