baltimore Archives | Devere Insulation

Four Easy Steps to Better Insulation in a New Maryland Home

When undergoing new construction there’s a solution that will maximize your new home or business project’s energy…

Updated April 2024

Maryland offers its residents a delightful mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty, but within this charm lies a challenge that every Maryland resident knows too well–the unpredictable weather. From scorching summers to chilly winters, the temperature swings can be discomforting, not to mention the toll they take on your wallet through high energy bills. But don’t worry, when undergoing new construction there’s a solution that will maximize your new home or business project’s energy efficiency and keep future owners’ energy expenses under control: proper insulation.

We’ve compiled four straightforward steps you can take to ensure your new construction project is insulated properly from the start.

Sealing the Cracks: Battling Air Leaks

Often, newly constructed homes and businesses are full of sneaky air leaks around many areas including windows, doors, and attic hatches. These small gaps are major culprits of energy loss, but thankfully there’s a simple remedy. With a bit of caulking, weatherstripping, or can foam insulation, you can air seal those gaps tight, banishing the drafts and keeping heating and cooling where it belongs–inside the building.

Elevating the Attic: The Key to Temperature Control

The attic, often overlooked but oh-so-important, holds the key to maintaining a comfortable living environment year-round. In winter, it’s a prime spot for heat loss, while in summer, it becomes a magnet for unwanted heat gain. The solution? Attic insulation. Whether choosing the timeless classic fiberglass batts or opting for the efficiency of spray foam insulation, investing in your building project’s attic insulation during construction will pay dividends many times over for future residents in both comfort and energy savings.

Fortifying the Walls: Battling the Elements

Depending on the construction of your home or business project, your walls may need some extra TLC in the form of insulation. Loose fill cellulose or fiberglass insulation are popular choices for existing walls, offering effective protection against heat loss and ensuring a snug living or working space regardless of the weather outside. Wall insulation also helps with lessening exterior sounds, giving occupants a more peaceful interior.

Seeking Professional Guidance: When to Call in the Experts

When it comes to properly insulating your new construction project, it’s always wisest to trust the job to the expertise of a professional. A reputable, licensed insulation contractor in Maryland, such as DeVere Insulation, can assess your building project’s specific needs and recommend the most effective insulation solutions, ensuring that your investment in new home insulation pays off for years to come.

Plus, an insulation professional will be well versed in Maryland’s energy codes and required insulation levels for new homes and businesses. Maryland’s energy code calls for the following amounts of insulation to be installed in buildings:

Ceilings: R-49
Walls: R-21
Floors: R-30
Basement Walls: R-13

These numbers can be confusing but remember, R-value represents insulation’s thermal resistance value, and the required R-value is the amount of insulation needed for our climate zone. When choosing a professional, it’s important to find one that pays special attention to not just meeting these energy codes, but also optimizing your new home or business building project’s energy efficiency.

The Rewards of Insulation: Beyond Comfort and Savings

The benefits of properly insulating your new home or business construction project extend far beyond mere comfort and savings on energy bills. By ensuring your project’s installed insulation is adequate from the start, future owners will not only enjoy a more comfortable working or living environment year-round, but it will also increase the structure’s energy efficiency and boost its overall value. Help future owners say goodbye to pesky drafts, high energy bills, and temperature fluctuations–and hello to a home or business that’s as cozy as it is cost-effective.

Transform Your New Home or Business Building Project with DeVere Insulation

Are you ready to ensure future owners are moving into a comfortable, energy-efficient home or business? Maryland’s weather may be unpredictable, but with the right insulation solutions in place, you can take control over your new home or business building project’s comfort and energy efficiency.

Our guide provides a solid starting point, but for personalized insulation recommendations tailored to your new construction’s specific needs, contact us today to consult with our team of insulation experts at DeVere Insulation. With our wide range of insulation materials and decades of experience in air sealing and insulation, we’ve grown to become Maryland’s largest and most trusted independent insulation contractor. You can count on us to help you unlock the full potential of your new home or business building project while keeping future energy bills in check.

DeVere Insulation Supports the Franciscan Center

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

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.

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.

Why to Air Seal Your New Home Today

It’s the time of year when builders and homeowners are finalizing new home construction and remodeling plans.

It’s the time of year when builders and homeowners are finalizing new home construction and remodeling plans. How much of a priority is air sealing and energy efficiency when planning your new home or remodeling project?

Investing in air sealing and other energy efficiency measures has huge payoff for homeowners and builders.

Increased comfort. Owning a home is one of the biggest investments an individual can make. With this level of financial commitment, homeowners are keenly aware of “problems” with their home — temperature inconsistencies, mechanical performance, etc. — that can affect comfort or create concerns. Sealing air leaks helps increase comfort inside the home, creating peace of mind for the homeowner and a happier customer for the builder.
Improved indoor air quality. When a home is not air sealed, pollutants, moisture and pollen can enter through penetration points in the home’s envelope (points that naturally exist as part of the construction process). Sealing air leaks helps keep pollutants out of the home. This is especially important to homeowners who have asthma or allergy issues, or have a family member who does.
Air sealing easiest during construction! While it is possible to seal air leaks in an existing home, it is much easier to seal air leaks during construction when walls and other cavities are open. Why put off air sealing when it can be done today?
Increased home value. Studies show energy efficient homes sell at a price premium – as much as 4% above the national average. This means a homeowner benefits at the time of sale from investing in air sealing and other energy upgrades. The builder also benefits from being positioned as a contractor who builds energy efficient homes.
Tax credits and financing options. There is financial assistance available for energy efficient investments through tax credits or rebates, and through energy-efficient financing (including an energy efficient mortgage/EEM). Check with your lender for more information.

Interested in learning about air sealing your new home or remodeling project? Our team can recommend the right solution for your project. Contact our office today!

Why Air Seal?

Building science and sealing air leaks are newer concepts in the insulation industry. Did you know that sealing air leaks is as important as insulating?

Benefits of Air Sealing from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore

Building science and sealing air leaks are newer concepts in the insulation industry. Did you know that sealing air leaks is as important as insulating?
Here are just some of the benefits of air sealing:

eliminate allergies,
stop energy loss,
keep your home cool.

How does air sealing work?

Sealing the “envelope” or “shell” of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by sealing and insulating. To Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR:

Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts,
Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Where are air leaks?

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.
SOURCE: ENERGYSTAR

Contact us to learn about the benefits of air sealing, or call us: 410-317-4342.

The “V” Factor

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

What You Need to Know About Ventilation in New Construction

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding (sometimes referred to as the “V” Factor). With the increase in green building and the tighter building envelopes that result, a new problem has emerged for builders. New buildings that are increasingly airtight can have poor indoor air quality.

Why the increase in air quality problems?

Older homes weren’t built as tightly as today’s standards and were ventilated by the wind or natural air leakage. 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), flame retardants or other additives commonly found in building products today, so ventilation wasn’t as much of an issue.

Today roughly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. The idea of an “airtight” house — which might be energy efficient — may not provide proper ventilation ensure their health.

Today’s tight building envelopes require controlled mechanical ventilation to maintain optimal air quality. And it’s a part of energy efficiency that can be overlooked.

Which type of ventilation is best? There are a number of factors that ultimately influence which system is most appropriate. These include code requirements, the size of the building, combustion appliance type, and budget. Four common ventilation system options are especially suited to energy efficient homebuilding:

Exhaust Only — This common method uses a small exhaust fan placed in a kitchen or bathroom, which runs continuously or intermittently to exhaust stale air and moisture. These systems are inexpensive and easy to install.
Supply Only — In supply only ventilation systems, a fan brings in fresh air and stale air escapes through cracks and air-leakage sites in the home. These systems can include a filter to trap pollen and dust or a dehumidifier to control indoor humidity levels.
Balanced — A balanced system provides a much better ventilation solution because it includes separate fans that drive both inlet and exhaust air flow, which allows control of where the fresh air comes from and where it is delivered. Typical systems are designed to ventilate living rooms and bedrooms where people spend most of their time.
Balanced with Heat Recovery — These systems co-locate the usually separate fresh air and exhaust fans and an air-to-air heat exchanger so that the outgoing house air will precondition the incoming outdoor air. This system is ideal for colder climates.

Have questions about the proper ventilation system for your home or commercial building? Contact us today.

Location

Mon - Fri

Call Us Now

Category: baltimore