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Has the Time Come to Re-Insulate Your Home?

December 08, 2016

As your home ages over the years, it becomes less and less effective in keeping out the cold air, and keeping in the warm air. Most homeowners can relate to this, and easily. And as the winter approaches, problem areas will surface, and it will become clear that it's now time to re-insulate the home. The truth is, there's much more to home energy efficiency than improving insulation - and that includes everything from air sealing, to weatherizing, to enhancing R-Values. An energy efficient home conserves energy, saves money on utilities, and provides home comfort. Conversely, a home that isn't energy efficient is simply wasting energy and wasting money. The thing is, there are a number of determining factors when deciding about insulation replacement. And clearly, most symptoms should be obvious to a homeowner. But there are times when more professional guidance is valuable - in assessing a situation, and providing a solution.

Air-conditioning and/or furnace running erratically

Insulation doesn't just keep the house warm and cozy - it also serves to maintain steady levels of temperature throughout the house, regardless of the outside weather. It means that the home is consistently warm in the wintertime and cool in the summer. Constant temperature fluctuations throughout the home are a sign that existing insulation may not be effectively performing.

Unusually high (and ever-rising) seasonal utility bills

One quick look at the monthly utility bills will reveal how well a home's insulation is performing. Another sure sign of performance is a comparison of bills from year to year. And although rates do change regularly, it's not difficult to assess spending trends. Anything unusual, like an upward trend in usage (without explanation) is a sign of problems (failing insulation/air leakage).

Visible icicles or ice dams on the outside of the building

A sure indicator of under-performing insulation is the forming of icicles from the home's eaves and gutters. Beyond the evident signs that something is wrong, icicles (and ice dams) can damage a roof, making for more work than just insulation. There are various technical reasons for icing but clearly poor insulation and significant air leakage in the attic are enough to be the cause.

Warm attic area and visible condensation throughout

If there is excessive moisture collecting and accumulating in the attic, and it shows up on walls or ceilings, this could be a sign that attic insulation is not performing its job. A warm attic will cause moisture to condense and therefore trickle down into the home. This is the right time to replace insulation, and to avert the potential for mould to grow and spread, creating bigger problems.

Variable temperatures from room to room in the home

It's not uncommon in a typical home for rooms to vary in temperature. However, big differences in temperature may suggest that air leakage and poor ventilation are contributing to poor energy efficiency. A well insulated home should have a uniform feel throughout every room. This is quite attainable, especially when air sealing, weatherizing, and insulation all work in tandem.

Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Greater Toronto Area

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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