Basement Insulation in Ottawa

Name: Great Northern Insulation
Telephone: 1-800-265-1914

Quick Facts:

Heating and cooling bills are reduced
Seasonal home comfort is improved
Undesirable air leakage is blocked
Air moisture is better controlled
Added valuable living space

Minimize Heat Loss in Your Basement & Reduce Your Energy Bills Significantly

If you’re considering upgrading your basement insulation in Ottawa, it’s worth doing right from the start. Years ago, basements were set aside for the furnace, washing machine, and dryer. In fact, few basements were even finished, let alone properly insulated. Today, because basements are being used as added living space, it’s important to have the area properly finished and insulated.

When you upgrade basement insulation, you achieve several benefits beyond personal comfort. Like the rest of the home, the basement has to be properly sealed, insulated and ventilated. This will balance heating/cooling cycles, reduce your energy consumption, and significantly lower the cost of heating and air conditioning. Indeed, the savings can often offset the cost of upgrading.

Professionally Installed Basement Insulation in Ottawa Adds Home Comfort and Increases Energy Efficiency

Basements need to be well insulated just like the rest of your home. For insulation professionals, insulating basement walls is considered even more crucial than other parts of the home. The idea with basement insulation is to enhance thermal resistance, control air movement, and regulate air moisture. It’s a complete “system” that provides both home comfort and energy efficiency.

Deciding to insulate your basement is cost saving in the long run. A well-insulated basement will allow your HVAC equipment (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) to operate optimally. This will contribute to less energy consumption and will quickly translate into lower utility costs. What’s most important is to do the work professionally, with quality products and installation.

Is Insulating the Basement Walls a Worthwhile Investment?

Home insulation is worthwhile – period. It’s not fancy like a kitchen renovation or washroom facelift, but it’s a cost-effective project and a long-term money-saver. Properly insulating the basement walls is worthwhile for the short run and the long run. In Ottawa and in similar regions across the country, dramatic weather extremes make this type of project well worthwhile.

What do the Experts Say about Insulating Basement Walls?

If you’re considering basement insulation in Ottawa, your local home energy professional can explain the excellent return-on-investment. Whatever the size of your basement, industry studies point to the measurable benefits of enhancing R-Values throughout the space (R-Value measures thermal resistance). Indeed, significant utility savings can often offset the original project cost.

What are the Cost Savings when Insulating the Basement?

The cost savings associated with improved basement insulation will differ from home to home. The savings will depend on the size of the basement; the R-Value of the installed insulation; and the extent of air sealing. In all cases, industry experts maintain that a good insulation product, when professionally installed, will deliver measurable savings on seasonal heating cooling costs.

Are there Minimum Requisites with Basement Insulation?

Building codes may vary from region to region. Therefore, minimum installation requirements for basement insulation may also vary. If you are installing basement insulation in Ottawa, your insulation contractor can advise on a product and installation that will be most suitable. If you’re dealing with a newly constructed home, the building code requirements will differ from a retrofit.

Should Basement Walls be Insulated Outside or Inside?

Insulation contractors usually agree that the physical condition of a basement will dictate the course of action. Clearly there are benefits and advantages to insulating on the outside of the home, as there are when insulating the inside. However, for many homeowners it’s the budget implications that will determine. Here again, some professional advice is highly recommended.

Is Preparation Needed before Insulating the Basement?

From a professional standpoint, a thorough assessment of the basement is required before installing any insulation. For example, a good contractor will determine if there are any water entry issues. These types of problems must be resolved prior to any insulation work. Sometimes, depending on the scope of the problem, water entry issues could turn into a project of its own.

How do the Hard-to-Reach Areas get Effectively Insulated?

Basements have a number of hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to effectively insulate. In these instances, spray foam has proven to be the best solution. No other product will seal and insulate as effectively as spray foam. With complete coverage, a spray foam application does everything at one time: it seals air leaks; it insulates with high R-Value; and it provides a proper vapour barrier.

Basement Insulation Requires an Airtight Space to Perform

For the experienced insulation contractor, every project starts by creating an airtight space. This is especially true in the basement, where air movement and air moisture can compromise the performance of insulation. When budget permits, basement floors can also be insulated. Here, the best option is an underlying base of spray foam covered over with a conventional concrete layer.

Installing Spray Foam along with Fiberglass Batt Insulation

For homeowners contemplating basement insulation in Ottawa, a “hybrid” application may be the most cost effective. This is an installation that combines fibreglass batts with an application of spray foam. The objective is for the spray foam to create an air barrier and vapour barrier, while the fibreglass batts provide insulation value. This is a very effective and cost affordable install.

Installing a Blown In Insulation Product in the Basement

Blown in insulation is a cost effective option for insulating basement walls and basement ceilings. Available in fiberglass or cellulose, this type of insulation provides satisfactory R-Values in the installation space (cellulose is slightly higher). When choosing blown in insulation, an air barrier and vapour barrier are BOTH required so that optimum performance is ensured for insulation.

Installing Mineral Wool Insulation in the Basement Walls

For most homeowners, mineral wool insulation is a lesser-known product. Inside the basement walls, mineral wool provides satisfactory insulation along with sound dampening properties. The product is made from renewable resources and therefore considered eco-friendly. Mineral wool is very cost effective to install, providing energy efficiency and savings on heating and cooling.

Rebates are Available for Basement Insulation in Ottawa

In the Ottawa area, homeowners can take advantage of several home energy rebates. These are designed to incentivize home energy upgrades and offset the cost of basement home insulation.

the Home Reno Rebate (Union Gas) offers rebates for professional air sealing
the Home Energy Conservation Program (Enbridge Gas) requires 2 upgrades
Ontario’s AffordAbility Fund (for electricity customers) is for limited incomes

In Ottawa, Rely on Insultech for Your Basement Insulation

When it comes to basement insulation in Ottawa, Insultech provides you with installers who are trained and certified. We install quality products and discourage the DIY approach to insulation. As a division of Great Northern Insulation, we do it right the first time, and every installation is guaranteed. We provide a manufacturer’s warranty on our products, regardless of the job size.

Find out more by calling 1-800-265-1914 and speaking to one of our home energy specialists. We’ll arrange for a FREE home energy assessment, evaluate your needs, and recommend the best approach for the long term. With Insultech, you’re assured of 100% customer satisfaction. For information about our other home energy services, visit the company website at www.gni.ca