When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

What You Should Know Before Hiring Heating Insulation Contractors

by Clara Fernandez

Most of the energy in American households is spent on cooling or heating purposes. A significant percentage of the total energy utilized is lost in different home sections. However, you can take advantage of a heating insulation upgrade to cut costs and save more money. But before enlisting an installation contractor, it's paramount to understand every aspect required to find the best deal. 

Read on for an essential checklist you must consider before commencing your heating installation project. 

Is Your Home Airtight?

According to energy.gov, failure to seal your home against heat loss means losing more energy that escapes in the form of air leakage. A comprehensive energy audit by a certified insulation expert can help identify fault lines and the extent of leak damage. Leaks are commonly experienced in areas such as the ceiling, basement, and attic, etc. Without comprehensive energy audits from professional insulation installers, it's challenging to know the extent and location of the leakages.

Examine Your Current Insulation

Indeed, it's not practical to insulate every inch of your home. Nonetheless, it would help if you determined the exact insulated locations in your home to allow you to establish a comprehensive performance upgrade plan. Conduct a thorough home inspection to determine the areas that require insulation. Ideally, work with energy efficiency specialists with enough experience to advise on the best heating insulation strategies. 

Find out Your Home's Insulation Type

Before hiring any heating contractor, it's vital to determine your home's current insulation type. Fiberglass, foam, slag wool, and reflective barriers are among the common types of insulation available. You can quickly check the insulation type by identifying an exposed section, such as the attic, to see what lies beneath. 

Check Your Home's R-Value

After counter-checking the location and type of insulation in your house, proceed and determine the insulation materials' R-value. Simply put, the R-value is a material's heat resistance. Therefore, ensure that the insulation materials have a specific R-value indicated to enable you to understand the ideal insulation level you require.

Project Cost and Budgeting

Finally, you must begin by ensuring all the air leaks have been sealed during any energy-efficient upgrade. That means that you must budget for two phases in the entire project. Also, remember that you'll be repaying the insulation investment quickly or after a year in some cases. Even for new houses, a heat insulation upgrade can save a homeowner more energy, and the results will be evident on the initial utility bills received afterward.


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About Me

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

My name is Maura, and I am certified in HVAC installation and repair. I have many clients who call me in a panic because they have turned on their air conditioners and nothing has happened. Your air conditioning technician will get to you as soon as possible, but there are some steps you can take while you are waiting. You might just find that you are able to fix the problem on your own, although you will still want to have a professional assess the situation. In this blog I will take you through some common reasons your air conditioner might not be working and show you some easy temporary solutions.

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