Category: attic insulation

Building an Energy Efficient Home in Maryland: Five Steps to Beat the Cold and Save Your Client Money

Discover how Maryland home builders can create energy-efficient homes that help their clients save money on energy bills and stay comfortable year-round.

 

Maryland winters bring cozy moments, but they can also lead to skyrocketing energy costs. As a local home builder, you can empower your clients with year-round comfort and significant savings. Let’s explore some key strategies to integrate energy efficiency from the ground up.

Seal Up the Leaks

Worker air sealing an attic floor.

Tight Construction is Key

During construction, emphasize meticulous sealing of gaps and cracks using can foam or spray foam insulation. This step of creating an airtight home can make a huge difference in preventing drafts and reducing heat loss. By focusing on windows and doors you’ll ensure warm air stays inside where it belongs.

Inform Clients About Incentives

Make it a priority to educate future homeowners about Maryland’s energy-saving incentives and tax credits that can help them save money on air sealing and other energy upgrades. Incentives area win-win for both their comfort and budget, potentially lowering their gas or electricity bill for years to come.

Check Your Roof for Chesapeake Bay Breezes

Protect Against the Elements

Maryland’s unique climate, with its coastal winds and occasional heavy snow, demands a strong and sturdy roof. Take the time needed to ensure proper installation and instill in future homeowners the importance of conducting regular roof maintenance to prevent drafts and leaks. A well-maintained roof will help keep heating systems from having to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Offer Roof Upgrades

Consider offering energy-efficient roofing materials or cool roof coatings as options for your clients. These can help regulate temperature, reduce energy usage in summer, and minimize strain on cooling systems.

Flip Your Fan for a Baltimore Blast of Warmth

A Simple Trick with Big Impact

Teach your clients this easy energy-saving tip: By reversing the direction of their ceiling fans to clockwise in winter, they can circulate warm air back down into living spaces. This simple action helps distribute heat evenly and can lead to noticeable savings on winter energy bills.
Worker installing insulation in an attic.

Insulation: A Maryland Home’s Best Friend

Prioritize the Attic

A home’s attic is a major source of heat loss. Sealing and insulating this area will keep valuable air from escaping through the roof. As you construct each home, emphasize to your clients the importance of attic insulation and the potential energy savings they can receive. Feel free to point out that the Department of Energy states Maryland homeowners can save up to 20% on their yearly energy bills with the addition of insulation in their attic, crawl space, and basement.

Recommend High R-Value

Every state has different recommended R-values for home insulation based on their climate zone. Suggest upgrading to insulation with a higher R-value for optimal energy efficiency, especially in attics and other areas prone to heat loss. This investment will help reduce energy consumption and keep future homes cozy.

Step it up with Sealing

Don’t overlook spray foam insulation! We briefly mentioned it earlier, but spray foam is the easiest way to seal and insulate your home project in one energy-efficient step, creating an airtight barrier that significantly reduces energy costs for future residents.

Undergo an Energy Audit

Partner with Energy Auditors

After receiving the keys to their new home, homeowners want to get to know every part of their new residence. And that should include its energy profile. Discuss with new homeowners the benefits of an energy audit for their new home. Explain that an audit is an in-depth way to help them understand their home’s energy profile and identify areas for improvement, ensuring long-term energy efficiency.

Bonus Tips

Here are a few extra ways you can help future homeowners maximize their new home’s energy efficiency.
Woman adjusting house thermostat

Smart Home Integration

In today’s technology driven world, it makes sense to integrate smart home technologies to complement insulation and air sealing. One highly useful tool to recommend is a programmable or smart thermostat. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts based on occupancy and time of day and can lead to substantial savings. Some models even learn household routines to optimize energy usage!

Final Touches for Maximum Efficiency

Take the time to advise your clients on the importance of proper water heater insulation and maintenance. Suggest energy-efficient window treatments like thermal curtains or blinds to provide an extra layer of insulation. These small touches can also help future homeowners stay warm while keeping utility bills in check.

Your Partner in Creating Energy Efficient Homes

By implementing these strategies, you’ll empower your clients to create comfortable, sustainable homes while saving money on their energy bills year after year. Building energy-efficient homes isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity in Maryland. Your expertise in constructing homes that minimize energy costs will set you apart in the market and provide lasting value to homeowners.

Our dedicated team at DeVere Insulation has been partnering with local home builders since 1987 to build and insulate quality homes in the Baltimore community. Contact us today to learn more about our insulation products and solutions for your Maryland building project and receive your free estimate. We look forward to partnering with you!

How to Install Insulation in an Attic

Attic insulation is a critical part of maintaining a comfortable home and keeping your energy bills low. There is a lot to know about…

Attic insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

Attic insulation is a critical part of maintaining a comfortable home and keeping your energy bills low. There is a lot to know about how to install attic insulation. Effective attic insulation requires proper installation techniques. If attic insulation is not correctly installed your comfort and your energy bills may both take a hit.

Before installing attic insulation be sure your attic has proper ventilation. Proper ventilation helps maintain the right moisture levels to reduce the chance of mold. Attic ventilation systems also help your attic insulation work efficiently.

Loose-fill insulation (also called blown-in insulation) is most often installed in open attics. Blown-in insulation can easily and quickly create an even and complete thermal blanket to reduce heat transfer. Loose-fill insulation can also be installed to fit into small corners in the attic space or over existing attic insulation to make longstanding homes more efficient and comfortable.

To further increase the energy efficiency of your attic space, air leaks should be sealed before installing insulation. Air sealing closes off any significant penetration points to stop air transfer. This is an additional energy-saving step that can help keep energy bills low.

Installing spray foam insulation in an attic adds R-value and seals air leaks. Spray foam in an attic is installed along the roofline. This installation method seals the very top of a home and helps the attic maintain a consistent temperature. Spray foam insulation can only be installed by a qualified insulation contractor.

To install insulation in an attic, contact an experienced insulation company. This will help ensure your attic is properly ventilated and achieves the best R-value. Contact our office to discuss insulation for your home or business.

Why You Should Hire a Certified Energy Expert

Looking for a partner with extensive training in insulation and air sealing backed by one of the leaders in the insulation industry? Look no further!

Certified Energy Experts in Baltimore, MD

Looking for a partner with extensive training in insulation and air sealing backed by one of the leaders in the insulation industry? Look no further!
DeVere Insulation is proud to be an Owens Corning Certified Energy Expert. The Certified Energy Expert distinction is extended to a very select group of insulation companies. As a contractor, hiring a Certified Energy Expert ensures you are receiving the best technical knowledge, service and warranty available in the industry.

Why choose a Certified Energy Expert to insulate your next construction project?

As Certified Energy Experts, our team has completed rigorous training in a key areas including

  • building science
  • thermal performance
  • moisture prevention
  • air infiltration
  • ventilation
Certified Energy Expert Logo

Certified Energy Experts are chosen in part due to their solid reputation as a reliable and trustworthy company. This includes high customer ratings of office operations and field workmanship.

Want to learn more about the Certified Energy Expert warranty and get a quote on your project? Click here to contact us.

Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation in New Construction in Maryland

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding.

Older homes in Maryland weren’t built as tightly as today’s standards and were ventilated by natural air leakage rather than through controlled ventilation. Let’s not forget that some older homes had no insulation or insulation made of natural materials. These older products did not include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other additives commonly found in building products today, so ventilation wasn’t as much of an issue.

These days, modern energy-efficient homes are built with airtight seals to conserve energy, but this can lead to poor indoor air quality. Without proper air exchange, air pollution indoors can become a serious issue. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. And since most of us, on average, spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, ensuring your building project is equipped with a proper mechanical ventilation system becomes essential for the health of future residents.

Key Indoor Air Pollutants

Exploring and understanding some of the most common contaminants can help you and fellow builders improve the indoor air quality of your future projects. Some of the most concerning indoor air contamination sources include:

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These chemical fumes are emitted from many building materials, VOC paints, furniture, and cleaning products and can cause health effects such as headaches, respiratory issues, and eye irritation.
  • Mold and Mildew: They thrive in high humidity levels and can trigger respiratory issues, especially for those with allergies and asthma.
  • Allergens: Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen can worsen allergies.
  • Excess Moisture: High humidity levels (above 50%) can lead to mold growth.
  • Other Contaminants: Carbon monoxide, radon, and particulate matter from cooking can all contribute to increased pollutant levels in indoor living spaces.
child-using-inhaler-for-asthma

Ventilation System Types

To combat poor indoor air quality, builders of modern homes rely on mechanical ventilation systems to filter out the bad air and keep in the good air. There are several types of whole-house ventilation systems to consider for your new home building project:

Exhaust-Only Systems

These systems:

  • Use exhaust fans to remove stale air and create negative pressure.
  • Are simple and affordable but don’t filter incoming air.
  • Are best suited for colder climates.

Supply-Only Systems

These systems:

  • Push fresh outdoor air into a home, creating positive pressure.
  • Allow for filtration of incoming air.
  • Help prevent back drafting from combustion appliances.
  • Work best in warm or mixed climates.

Balanced Ventilation Systems

These systems:

  • Provide equal supply and exhaust airflow for consistent air exchange.
  • Deliver fresh outdoor air to specific areas.
  • Work well in all climates.
  • Cost more and may be more complex than other ventilation systems.

Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

These systems:

  • Transfer heat between incoming and outgoing air.
  • Maximize energy efficiency.
  • Manage humidity levels (ERVs only).
  • Have a higher upfront cost but perform better than some other ventilation systems.

Maryland-Specific Considerations

When it comes to Maryland and ventilation, here are a few considerations to make the case for quality ventilation in your building project.

  • Our state’s humid subtropical climate makes effective moisture management even more important.
  • Our high pollen levels greatly benefit from filtered ventilation.
  • Our state building codes require mechanical ventilation systems in new homes to reduce indoor air contamination.
  • ERVs are especially effective in our climate, balancing humidity levels while maintaining energy efficiency.
new-home-construction-with-owners

Best Practices for Builders

  • Plan for mechanical ventilation systems during your building’s design phase.
  • Install proper spot ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Exceed code requirements for better performance.
  • Consider ERVs for optimal air exchange and comfort.
  • Conduct proper system testing and verification.

Best Practices for Future Homeowners

  • Maintain humidity levels between 30-50%.
  • Replace filters in HVAC systems regularly.
  • Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering.
  • Keep ventilation running continuously for optimal pollutant levels.
  • Monitor for unusual system noises or inefficiencies.

Benefits of Proper Ventilation

Investing in a good mechanical ventilation system offers several advantages that future homeowners and business owners will appreciate for many years to come:

  • Reduces indoor air pollutants and allergens.
  • Controls moisture to help prevent mold and mildew.
  • Enhances future residents’ comfort and overall well-being.
  • Protects home and building structure from moisture damage.
  • Ensures that Maryland building codes are met for modern construction.

Call on the Healthy Home Experts

At DeVere Insulation, we’re experts at improving the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of your Baltimore building project. Our dedicated team has been partnering with Baltimore builders and contractors since 1987 to build the most energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings in our community. When you need help from the best, count on us. Contact us today for valuable guidance on choosing the best ventilation system and insulation for your Maryland building project.

References

​​Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. (n.d.). Indoor air quality and ventilation. Retrieved from https://www.aafa.org

American Lung Association. (n.d.). Mold and dampness. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org

DeVere Insulation. (n.d.). Ventilation systems for energy-efficient homes. Retrieved from https://www.devereinsulation.com

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Indoor air quality in homes. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov

Home Ventilating Institute. (n.d.). Residential ventilation systems guide. Retrieved from https://www.hvi.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Asthma information. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

R-Value Insulators. (n.d.). VOCs and indoor air quality. Retrieved from https://www.rvalueinsulators.com

U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Ventilation systems for homes. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov

Worcester County, Maryland. (n.d.). Building codes and ventilation requirements. Retrieved from https://www.co.worcester.md.us