The Difference Between Nominal R-Values and Effective R-Values

October 19, 2016

The concept of "consumers beware" takes on new relevancy when it comes to home insulation. And that relevancy becomes acute with respect to R-Values - the industry measure that defines insulation performance. It's not that much different than any other consumer product - like that new...

What Are Building Codes? Why Are They So Important?

September 29, 2016

Every residential home is different - built in a different era; with different specifications; and with different building materials. As such, Building Codes allow for standardization and consistency in building practices. This would apply to everything from a newly constructed home, to a basement...

Why an Air Tightness Test is So Important

September 26, 2016

Whether building a new home, or installing new insulation, air tightness is key to performance. In most cases, professionals acknowledge this fact, and further recognize the importance of an air tightness test. The bigger issue, it seems, is how best to insulate a space, and pass an air tightness...

The Dangers of Having Excessive Attic Heat

September 23, 2016

It sounds somewhat counter-intuitive, but many homes, particularly those that are older than 20 years, suffer from excessive heat in the attic. In most cases, it's an unseen problem, but could very well lead to other issues, both in summer and in winter. In summer, excessive attic heat can...

How to Prepare a Home for Home Energy Labeling?

September 21, 2016

For many, Home Energy Labeling will be a completely new concept. It's starting to gain exposure, but will make much greater gains in the coming years. Energy Labeling is essentially about rating the energy efficiency of a home, for today, and for the future. It means that a current homeowner can...

Bad Insulation Can Actually Make You Sick!

September 19, 2016

Bad insulation can have negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of homeowners, even without warning. But beyond health, there's also personal comfort to consider. The thing is, a coldish, dampish indoor environment is both uncomfortable and unhealthy. In some cases, it may be that...

What are the Causes of Global Warming?

August 31, 2016

Around the world, the majority of respected climate scientists agree that the main cause of global warming is the human-influenced "greenhouse effect". This is essentially a warming of the Earth because the atmosphere is trapping heat that radiates from the Earth outward to space. There...

How to Correctly Dispose of Old Insulation

August 28, 2016

A thorough assessment Even before removing any insulation, it's important to assess the condition of the materials. The materials may have lost the capacity to insulate - there may be deterioration - there may even be asbestos left from a previous installation. What's important is to...

Insulating the Attic Before Using It For Storage

August 25, 2016

Optimizing attic storage space in a home begins with an air-sealed space that is well ventilated, and well insulated. And while every attic is different from the next, optimizing the storage space is worth doing right the first time. Whether it's basic shelving or integrated cabinetry, attic...

The Difference Between Climate Change and Global Warming

August 22, 2016

With all of the media hype about global warming and climate change, it's sometimes difficult for the average person to get an accurate sense of where things stand. To complicate things more, competing interests tend to have their own focus, making it harder to grasp the bigger picture. Global...