Replacement of Attic Insulation in Holyoke, MA
Challenge
This customer from Holyoke, MA called us due to a large amount of drafts she was experiencing in her home. Our Home Comfort Specialists noted several problems during the evaluation of her home. One large problem that we identified was dirty and insufficient insulation in her attic. This can cause air to come in from outside and causes the conditioned air in your home to escape through unsealed penetrations. This is a very common problem -- most attics are dramatically under-insulated compared to today's standards. However, it can be a big issue for you -- and your energy bill. Your home becomes harder to heat in the winter and keep comfortable year round.
Solution
Luckily, our team at Fogarty's Home Services was ready to jump into action to help this homeowner. We started by removing the old, dirty insulation in the attic. After removal, we marked all places where we identified lighting. We then protected those spots with our TiteShell™ lighting covers. We then sealed all of the air leaks and small gaps using expanding polyurethane foam. We ensured the correct amount of ventilation in the attic with baffles inside each rafter bay. Additionally, we sealed around this customer's metal chimney pipe using metal flashing, fire caulk, and Rock Wool, a completely fireproof insulation material specifically for chimneys. This protects the insulation nearby from getting too hot and ensures that we adhere to the local building code. After this, we were able to insulate this attic using TruSoft™ cellulose insulation. Since TruSoft™ cellulose insulation does not burn, attract pests, or get moldy, it was the perfect choice for this customer's home.
