Modern homes are built to be efficient. In Virginia, that means tighter construction, fewer air leaks, and better insulation. Most Virginia homeowners assume their home ventilates itself the way older homes did, through natural air leaks. However, Virginia’s 2021 Residential Code requires a level of envelope tightness that essentially eliminates that uncontrolled air exchange, leaving...
Insulating your attic is crucial for keeping your living space comfortable and decreasing your energy bills. There are many things you need to know about installing insulation in your attic. Proper installation is necessary for your attic insulation to be effective. Your comfort and utility bills will be negatively impacted if the attic insulation is...
Climate Zone Context Here in Virginia, our hot, humid summers and cold winters land us directly in climate zone 4A, a mixed-humid zone. In this region, maintaining a comfortable home with effective insulation is crucial. Insulation performance is measured by R-value, which is a measure of a material’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the...
When it comes to home insulation, the first area that comes to mind is the attic. Airflow within a building moves from ground to sky, naturally pulling conditioned indoor air up and out of a structure. Proper attic insulation helps keep conditioned air inside your home and helps keeps your home comfortable. Keeping conditioned air...
Homeowners seem to have a never-ending list of projects. Landscaping, painting and other cosmetic projects are often a high priority. Before investing more time and additional resources this fall into these types of projects, consider some energy-saving improvements. Here are four projects that can help save money on energy bills and increase your home’s comfort...
When thinking about home upgrades, many homeowners consider two projects: insulation or windows. There are many conflicting messages about which is the best investment. Before you get out your wallet, read the following so you can make the best choice for your home. One factor in saving energy is sealing the building shell — the...
Overlooking your home’s energy efficiency can create both structural and financial headaches. An inefficient home can affect comfort and drive up energy bills. A leaky, inefficient home can cause structural damage through water leaks and more. If you’re tired of higher-than-necessary energy bills and suffering in an uncomfortable home each winter, here are three ways...
If you still picture fiberglass as the itchy insulation from years ago, you’re not alone. That perception has stuck around, along with assumptions about what fiberglass is, how safe it is, and how well it works. Those old assumptions can affect what homeowners do next. They may add insulation without dealing with air leaks or...
