The Best Insulation

You'd like to $ave money on your energy bills wouldn't you?  The Department of Energy and the Energy Star program says R-49 insulation is the best.  According to nearly every study done, most of the energy lost from your home starts at the top, your attic. 

Many municipalities across the country have "approved" building codes that fall short of the suggested R-value for your home.  A materials resitance to heat flow is Resistance-value or better known as R-value.  The higher the R-value of attic insulation the slower the flow of heat loss through your ceiling.

The Department of Energy's recommened R-value in an attic space in Northwest Ohio and Michigan is R-49 for homes with gas, oil or fuel burning furnaces.  On the contrary, should your home be heated by an electric furnace, the recommended R-value increases to R-60.  Too often, I hear consumers specifically stating, "My builder (or contractor), friend said the code is R-30."  This may be up to "code" but it is not what is recommended.  The D.O.E. has scientific research behind them, local "code" does not.

I favor a quote once found in an article of the Detroit Free News:  "Your customers deserve the insulation they need, not the minimum you can get by with." The moment you insulate your attic you will see an immediate improvement in your utility costs.  A former colleague of mine, David Gaines shared an excellent thought, "Stop and ask yourself one question, If insulating your home didn't save you money, why would you do it?"

Remember, tax credits are now available and must be "placed in service" before December 31st, 2010.  For insulation to qualify for the tax credit of 30% of cost, up to $1,500, it's primary purpose must be to insulate.  Siding does not qualify and it must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty.

So insulate now and see immediate savings.  DO NOT WAIT to the last minute as (supply and demand) quality installers and companies are booking up quickly.  Your payback should be approximately 2.4 years. "Get it while the gettin's good!"

http://www.insulationtoledo.com/

Rod Pierce
Director of Operations
ABC Seamless
Toledo, Ohio 43612
rodp@abc-siding.com