Author: DeVere

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief

Hurricane Harvey was the strongest storm to make landfall in the Texas Coastal Bend area since Hurricane Carla in September 1961.

Storm map.

Hurricane Harvey was the strongest storm to make landfall in the Texas Coastal Bend area since Hurricane Carla in September 1961. The flooding resulting from Harvey’s flooding is one of the worst weather disasters in U.S. history. It’s estimated the storm damage will amount to billions of dollars.

Even though Hurricane Harvey is off the front page of daily news, there’s no doubt the impact of this storm is far from over. The real heavy lifting of recovery and reconstruction is underway, and will continue for quite some time.

With many connections to the Houston area, the founders of DeVere Insulation and its affiliated companies have been moved to assist. To this end, DeVere Insulation along with DeVere Insulation Home Performance, Delmarva Insulation, Delmarva Spray Foam, Foam InSEALators, Liberty Insulation, Southland Insulators and The Fifth Fuel have donated $28,000 to help with recovery efforts.

Bob and Carolyn DeVere along with Jerry and Nancy Palmer have selected two Texas charities to receive these funds — Samaritan’s Purse and Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries. Each organization received $14,000 to aid in their mission of helping local families recover from this tragedy.

We are proud to support our local communities and support others during times of tragedy. If you are moved, we encourage you to donate to one of these Houston-based organizations to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.

DeVere Insulation Supports the Franciscan Center

Each holiday season the DeVere Insulation team, managers and founders rally support around a charitable community organization.

The Franciscan Center in Baltimore, MD DeVere Insulation Supports The Franciscan Center DeVere Insulation Supports charitable community

 

Each holiday season the DeVere Insulation team, managers and founders rally support around a charitable community organization. These organizations have included Toys for Tots, a local animal shelter and more. This year our support went to The Franciscan Center.

The Franciscan Center began serving the people of Baltimore in 1891 by feeding the hungry and caring for orphans. Over the years their efforts have grown along with their location. Today they offer a range of care for Baltimore’s homeless and needy including food, clothing, emergency health services, counseling and more.

DeVere Insulation team members and leaders donated dozens of items to The Holiday Giving Tree. The Holiday Giving Tree provides warm clothing, toiletries and other essential items to men, women and children who come to The Franciscan Center for help. DeVere Insulation founders Bob and Carolyn DeVere collected team donations at the company holiday gathering, which were delivered to The Franciscan Center the following day. These donations will serve to support those who rely on The Franciscan Center during the holiday season.

Not only was this event a great experience for the entire DeVere team, company leaders are thrilled that their team commits so fully to helping others. “[It makes us all] so happy to make others happy! That’s what it’s all about!” stated Carolyn DeVere.

For more information about The Franciscan Center visit fcbmore.org.

Why New Home Builders Should Upgrade Basement Insulation

Basements are an important area of the home that is often overlooked for insulation, including basement box sills and rim joists.

Basement Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

When insulating a new home, builders think first about attic insulation and wall insulation. Basements are an important area of the home that is often overlooked for insulation, including basement box sills and rim joists.

Basement box sills and rim joists are a significant source of energy loss. These areas are some of the thinnest points in a home’s exterior and allow outside air to easily leak into the basement. This makes the basement unnecessarily cold and can impact the temperature of the floors in the home’s main level.

Not only can unconditioned outside air enter the home around the basement perimeter, but it is also a convenient entrance point for pests. Spiders, bugs, and other creatures can easily find their way into a home through penetrations around HVAC, electrical, and plumbing access points around the basement.

When recommending insulation for basement box sills and rim joists, spray foam is at the top of the list. Spray foam adds R-value and seals air leaks to keep out outside air and pests. It also helps keep additional moisture out of the basement, an area already prone to damp conditions.

Insulating and air sealing basement rim joists and box sills will keep your clients and their entire home more comfortable. Ask your DeVere Insulation representative about spray foam insulation for basement box sills for your next new home construction project.

Three Fiberglass Applications You Don’t Know About

There are many ways fiberglass insulation can be installed today that makes this legacy insulator more effective than ever before…

Fiberglass Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

When most people think of insulation, the first thing that comes to mind is fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is the most widely used type of insulation, used to insulate attics, walls, and more in new construction and existing homes. There are many ways fiberglass insulation can be installed today that makes this legacy insulator more effective than ever before and may give you a new perspective on this product:

  • Fiberglass with Air Sealing – While fiberglass is a cost-effective insulator, its woven fibers do not inherently prevent air from escaping through penetration points throughout a structure. Combining fiberglass insulation with air sealing prevents air infiltration and loss of conditioned inside air. ENERGY STAR states sealing air leaks and insulating can save a homeowner on their energy bills.
  • Blown-in Wall System – In new home construction, many contractors choose to install fiberglass batt insulation in wall cavities. The blown-in wall system takes wall insulation a step further. With this system, loose-fill fiberglass insulation is densely packed into the wall cavity behind a layer of plastic. This fully fills the wall cavity and reduces air gaps that naturally occur around batts. Many contractors take this system one step further by air sealing the wall cavity before installing insulation to increase energy efficiency even more.
  • Flash and Batt – The flash and batt system combine the best fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation in one application. A flash and batt system (also known as a hybrid system) combines spray foam’s air sealing properties and the insulating benefits of fiberglass at a lower price point than installing full spray foam. During installation, one inch of closed-cell spray foam insulation is applied. Once in place, a fiberglass batt is placed over the top of the foam. This is a great option to achieve high performance at a budget-friendly price.

Fiberglass insulation provides many cost-effective insulation options for today’s builders and homeowners. Contact our office to learn more about these options and schedule a free estimate.

Five Steps to Save Money and Energy

As cool fall temperatures move in and winter isn’t far behind, energy efficiency becomes top of mind for many homeowners.

Fall Projects

Energy efficiency is important year round. As cool fall temperatures move in and winter isn’t far behind, energy efficiency becomes top of mind for many homeowners. Here are a few steps to take to make your home more comfortable and more energy efficient this year:

  • Upgrade Your Insulation
    When temperatures drop outside, you can stay warm and keep your energy bills low with proper insulation. Attics are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to winter energy loss, so prep yours for winter by upgrading your insulation now. And don’t forget about air sealing your attic, too!
  • Air Seal
    Air sealing around windows and door frames can help prevent heat from escaping. Sealing these openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs you can do — and it’s an easy DIY project! Air sealing your attic is an important energy upgrade — we can help by air sealing and upgrading your insulation at the same time.
  • Inspect Your Roof
    Make sure the roof is in good shape. Inspect for missing and loose shingles. Look for trouble spots now instead of in a few months when ice, rain, snow, and wind create even more problems.
  • Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
    This is so easy — and so many homeowners forget to do this! Changing the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft redistributes warm air from the ceiling back down into your living area. Before you do this, dust the blades.

 

These few steps can help your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. Ready go get started? We can help. Contact today for a free insulation estimate.

Honored to Celebrate 30 Years

The DeVere Insulation team is honored to celebrate 30 years of serving builders and homeowners throughout Maryland and the surrounding areas.

30 years of serving Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

The DeVere Insulation team is honored to celebrate 30 years of serving builders and homeowners throughout Maryland and the surrounding areas.

When we opened our doors in 1987, our goal was to be one of the best insulation contractors in the Baltimore area. Little did we know we would grow to Maryland’s largest independent insulation contractor.  We are proud to provide insulation, air sealing and energy solutions to customers of all sizes — from residential homeowners and builders to large commercial contractors. We are proud to give back to our community through supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Harvest House, and more.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our community for 30 years. We are grateful and look forward to serving you for the next 30 years.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters and How to Improve It

Did you know that the air inside your home may have the biggest impact on your health? When we think of air quality…

Improve Indoor Air Quality from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

Did you know that the air inside your home may have the biggest impact on your health? When we think of air quality, we most often think of outdoor air. Indoor air may have an even bigger impact. One estimate indicates the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure at home (via The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/USEPA).

Many things can affect indoor air quality. This can include the materials used in furniture manufacturing, building products in your home, the items you use for home cleaning, and more. Here are some ways you can improve you home’s air quality:

Air sealing – keeping out external pollutants helps maintain your home’s indoor environment. When external pollutants are kept out, your indoor air can be properly tested and maintained. Spray foam insulation effectively seals air leaks and insulates in one step.

Choose low-emitting cleaning products – look for cleaning products, air fresheners, etc. that are made with natural ingredients or are low-emitting products. This will remove/reduce one factor that impacts indoor air quality.

Ventilate your home – After your home is air sealed, having a proper mechanical ventilation system will help remove indoor air pollutants.

Contact our office to learn about how spray foam insulation can help keep out external pollutants, help maintain your home’s indoor air quality, and help reduce your energy bills. We are happy to provide a free estimate.

Want an Efficient Home? Manage Airflow.

Airflow is a key component of the study of building science. When a building has improper airflow, it can impact both the building and…

Control Airflow for Home Ventilation in Baltimore, MD

Looking to build (or own) a home that is efficient and comfortable? The key is airflow, and we have building science to thank.

Airflow is a key component of the study of building science. When a building has improper airflow, it can impact both the building and its residents. Improper airflow can result in a variety of problems including mold growth, energy loss, and can encourage the infiltration and spread of pollutants. When airflow is properly managed each of these can be reduced, and the home’s HVAC system can operate more efficiently.

There are two common types of building airflow. Uncontrolled airflow is the type many people are familiar with. Years ago, uncontrolled airflow was also known as having a “leaky” home. Uncontrolled airflow is when air enters and leaves the home in a random fashion. This type of airflow doesn’t work in conjunction with the HVAC system, which can impact both energy use and home comfort.

On the other type is controlled airflow. This is when airflow is managed in a way that works with the home’s HVAC system. Sealing air leaks and adding mechanical ventilation allows airflow to be controlled to create a comfortable and efficient home environment.

Have questions about your home’s ventilation and overall energy efficiency? Contact our office to speak with one of our insulation professionals.

Energy Saving Projects for Spring

Spring weather is the perfect time to start saving money on energy bills. Don’t let comfortable temps fool you!

Energy Saving Projects for Spring by DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

Spring weather is the perfect time to start saving money on energy bills. Don’t let comfortable temps fool you — the heat of summer isn’t far away and a cold winter is sure to follow. Here are five ways to help keep your energy bills in line this summer, and throughout the year:

  1. Tune up your HVAC system. A home’s HVAC gets a lot of use — it runs all winter to heat your home and often during the summer to combat heat and humidity. Call your local HVAC contractor and schedule a tune up.
  2. Install a programmable thermostat. Setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting during the day when your family is at work or school can save roughly 10 percent on annual energy bills. If your home doesn’t have a programmable thermostat, visit your local hardware store and pick one up.
  3. Check your ceiling fans. It’s easy to forget to reverse ceiling fans when the seasons change. During summer, reversing your ceiling fans can help properly draw cool air throughout the home and create a slight breeze to make your home comfortable.
  4. Air seal. Air sealing your home keeps cooled air inside during summer and helps keep summer air pollutants like dust and pollen out of your home. Once air leaks are sealed this pays off year-round by keeping warm air inside during winter. It’s best to have air sealing done by a qualified contractor.
  5. Upgrade attic insulation. Most homes lack adequate insulation. As building codes change and require higher levels of energy efficiency, even newer homes can benefit from adding insulation. Blowing a fresh layer of insulation over your existing insulation is an easy and cost-effective way to reduce energy bills.

Don’t let another year of high energy bills take extra money out of your wallet. Contact our office with questions on these tips or to schedule a free insulating and air sealing estimate.

Why Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation insulates and seals air leaks in one application creating a thermal barrier and sealing penetration points.

Sprayfoam Insulation

Spray foam is a product consisting of two materials that react when mixed together and expand after being sprayed in place. This expansion completely fills a cavity to prevent air leaks and keep energy costs down.

An additional benefit of spray foam is that it blocks heat transfer from inside to outside during cold winter months and vice versa in hot summer months.

Two Types of Spray Foam

Open cell spray foam consists of cells that are left open making it a more flexible material. It expands during installation and fills cracks, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas. The R-value of open cell spray foam is commonly around 3.7 per inch. It also functions as an air barrier because it adheres to uneven surfaces and blocks air leakage. Open cell spray foam is often used for interior walls because it is also a sound dampener when applied between studs.

Closed cell spray foam is made up of cells that are completely closed. It is a more dense and rigid insulating material with an R-value that is higher than open cell spray foam. Because of the rigidity of closed cell spray foam, it acts as a vapor barrier and adds structural stability during strong winds and storms.

Why does it matter?

When the air leaks that exist around the building envelope are sealed, conditioned air remains inside your home. This means your HVAC system is working less resulting in energy cost savings.

Spray foam insulation insulates and seals air leaks in one application creating a thermal barrier and sealing penetration points.

Contact us to learn more about spray foam insulation and why it may be the right choice for your project.