What Are The Code Requirements For R-value?
Current Idaho prescriptive code requires:
R-38 in ceilings
R-21 in walls
R-30 in underfloors over unconditioned space
Is My House Insulated?
All newer houses are required by code to be insulated to the code requirements when the house was built, some older or historic homes may not have insulation depending on the age and location.
Can I make My House More Energy Efficient?
Absolutely, the easiest option is to add insulation to the attic. We can retrofit walls and floor assemblies as well but we will need to inspect the areas first to find an appropriate solution.
Do You Charge for On-site Measures?
No, we do not charge to visit and evaluate your house.
How Much Insulation Should I Have In My Attic?
Current code requires R-38 in Idaho and R-49 in Washington. The kind of insulation will determine the correct depth. Cellulose should be about 10 inches deep or weigh 1.5 lbs/sqft for an R-38 and 13 inches deep or weigh 1.99 lbs/sqft for an R-49. Fiberglass requires more depth at 13 inches for an R-38 and 16.3 for an R-49.
Please note: older homes may have less insulation in the attic as the codes were not as strict as they are today and allowed for lower R-vaues.
My House Feels Drafty, What Can I do?
Sometimes drafts are cold spots in the house due to lack of insulation making the area feel cold and sometimes they are leaks in the exterior of the house that let cold air in. Both can be quickly found using a thermal imaging camera that allows us to see the leaks or cold areas as they happen, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Doors and windows that do not seal properly are a good place to start and can be easily checked, look for gaps and cracks around the edges or old worn weather seals that may let air past.
My Washing Machine Is Loud And I Can Hear the TV In The Next Room What Can I do?
Sound insulation can help reduce the nose in your home. We can retro-fit walls, floors and ceilings to quiet things down. Blown in insulation is the least destructive way to do this and you will be amazed at how much noise can be reduced.