Find answers
Faqs about spray foam insulation where you can get the answers to our most common questions.
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Why would I want an energy-efficient home?
Making your home energy efficient will save you a significant amount of money on your heating and cooling electrical bills. When your home is insulated properly and your HVAC equipment is working effectively, your family will be a lot more comfortable all year round.
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Where do I begin?
The first step in the process to make your home energy-efficient is to schedule a comprehensive Home Audit. An energy audit will help you understand how much energy your home is using and how much it’s wasting. Using a variety of diagnostic tools, the auditor will identify problem areas that affect the home’s overall comfort, indoor air quality and safety. Then they will prioritize recommended repairs in order—from must-do to nice-do-do—that fit your budget.
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Will I really see lower energy bills?
Time and time again, homeowners are truly seeing the results of investing in proper insulation on their energy bills. The investment you make into making your home energy-efficient will definitely pay off for you. Most homeowners see the savings on their energy bills almost immediately.
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Where are the big leaks in my attic?
Typically, the biggest attic leaks are found where the walls meet the attic floor, above drop ceilings and overhangs, and behind attic walls. Look for dirty or discolored insulation to find the leaks. This indicates that air is moving through the insulation materials. There are many other “holes” in the attic ceiling that should also be sealed, such as recessed “can” lights, plumbing stacks, electrical wires, attic hatches or doors, around chimneys or flues, and duct chases. We have certified solutions for all of these areas.
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What is R-value?
R-value is a measure of the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
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Why hiring Star Insulation?
We’ve been in this industry for years and have a thorough understanding of what solutions work best for what problems. We want to use the best quality materials without you having to break the bank. We offer all sorts of solutions, starting with cellulose insulation and spray foam insulation.
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Can I add new insulation on top of old insulation?
Yes, you can add new insulation on top of old insulation, unless it is wet. Wet insulation can lead to mold, mildew or even rotting of your ceiling roof rafters. If it is wet or appears it has previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair it to prevent a reoccurrence. If the insulation needs to be removed, we can do this for you.
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Why do I need to seal my attic if I’m adding insulation?
Fibrous insulations (fiberglass and cellulose) are not air barriers, and as such, they allow air to move through them. This results in increased energy use. Air sealing stops the escape of air from the home.
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How much insulation should I add to my attic?
The recommended level (by the U.S. Department of Energy) for Zone 4 (the Mid-Atlantic) is to insulate to R-38, or about 12 to 15 inches, depending on the insulation type. Please note that the E.P.A. is recommending R-49.
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Can I over seal my home or make it too tight?
While it is possible to seal a house too tightly, it is very unlikely in older homes. In new homes where we install spray foam insulation, we often recommend an energy recovery ventilation system be added. While this is an added cost, the reduction in tonnage needed to heat and cool the home can offset most or all of the cost. A certain amount of fresh air is needed for good indoor air quality and there are specifications that set the minimum amount of fresh air needed for a house. Our BPI Certified building analyst using diagnostic tools can make sure your combustion appliances are operating properly (see www.bpi.org).
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“Working with Ronaldo and his team was a dream. They were always on time always pleasant and their work was top of the line! We will be using Star Insulation in the future for another insulation service.”
“Ronaldo and his team were amazing. I appreciate his honestly, expert advice, and constant professionalism throughout what can be a very stressful and momentous time. I completely recommend this company to anyone. ”
“Thanks for doing such a great job! We can't say enough about the quality of work and the quality of skill and commitment to the job exhibited by Star Insulation. Thanks for everything Ronaldo.”
“We'd like to say thanks again for the beautiful job you all did! The guys doing the work have all (with no exception) been so polite, nice and accommodating. We won't hesitate to recommend Star Insulation to friends.”
