Furnace|Heating|HVAC|Indoor Air Quality

Anyone who owns a home is mindful of high energy costs, especially when the outdoor temperatures are at an extreme. Those who are proactive and insulate their home will reap the reward in the long run in the form of reduced energy costs and increased comfort across the entire year.

Adding Insulation:  The Basics

Consult with the United States Department of Energy’s helpful Zip Code Insulation program to figure out exactly how much insulation should be added to your home. This resource will point you in the right direction in terms of what areas of the home should be insulated to preserve the most energy.

Where to Insulate

Seal and thoroughly insulate your home’s ceiling on the top floor. The point where it combines with the attic space is extremely important as plenty of warm and cold air is lost through this area. Heat actually goes in all directions through conduction and radiation; so it’s prudent to insulate the full home envelope, meaning the parts of the home that are connected to the outdoors.

Ductwork also should be insulated and sealed as well, especially ducts that move through attics and unconditioned crawl spaces. Insulation will keep that warm and cold air in the ducts until it reaches the vents. There’s no doubt that home insulation really does provide a year round benefit, regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside.

Insulation is Not Always a DIY Job

If you’re thinking of attempting a do-it-yourself (DIY) insulation job, you should know that it’s a project best left to the professionals. A Home Performance expert will access all those hard to reach spaces. He’ll also install solutions that do not suffer moisture-related, air quality problems, or contribute to building durability issues down the road. So sit back and let the pros handle the insulation job. You’ll reap the rewards in the winter, spring, summer and fall when you pay reduced utility bills.

P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling

Heating and cooling systems typically account for 50-70 percent of a home’s utility costs. Don’t let a poorly insulated home cause skyrocketing high energy costs. For more on insulation, contact P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling today!

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber that is strong, heat-resistant and a good insulator, making it perfect for many home construction applications. Unfortunately, it also happens to be extremely dangerous if friable, or loose, fibers are inhaled, causing serious health problems. If you find asbestos in your home, it may be tempting to skip the expensive removal procedures and skirt the heavy regulations by doing it yourself. However, the only true way of making sure your home is safe and healthy is to hire one of the professional asbestos removal services in the Cleveland area to do the job properly.

Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos has been linked to several lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and a specific type of lung cancer called mesothelioma. In most cases, these diseases are found in those who have worked closely with asbestos for many years, though it is possible to develop problems from excessive household exposure, and smoking increases the chances.

Where Asbestos is Found

In older homes, asbestos was used as insulation for furnace ducts, steam pipes and boilers. It was also used in cement board for fireproofing around furnaces and wood stoves, and in products such as vinyl flooring, roofing tiles, siding, joint compounds, soundproofing panels and ceiling panels.

When Asbestos Should Be Removed

In most cases, asbestos is not dangerous if it is in good condition. It becomes dangerous when it is damaged, allowing the loose fibers to circulate through the air. Asbestos should be removed in the following conditions:

• If it is visibly broken, crumbling, or otherwise damaged, including from water infiltration
• If it is in an area that makes it prone to damage, such as the insulation on low-hanging pipes in the basement
• If you are planning to remodel the affected area
• If it is located in a heavily-trafficked area of your home

Asbestos inspection and removal should only be done by trained professionals who have the proper equipment to contain and remove it properly. For professional asbestos removal services in the Cleveland area, call our team at P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling, Inc., today.