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Insulation, contractors,
home builders
Dealing with home builders
The
performance of any insulation system is deeply dependent on the
quality of its installation. So, be aware... Most installations
are of poor quality.
To keep prices competitive, builders tend to offer non-optimal
levels of insulation. Typically, they just implement the legal minimums.
Demand
high quality, ask questions (for instance, how do they achieve a
high degree of air sealing and proper coverage).
It's important to spend some time discussing the energy efficiency
issues with the home builder. Discuss insulation but also
elements as shading and passive
solar techniques,
home orientation and shape,
landscaping,
Insulation
materials (Spray-on Foam Insulation,
Cellulose insulation,
Fiberglass and Mineral
Wool insulation,
Reflective
Insulation),
Insulation
& performance, etc...
Dealing with
insulation contractors
When dealing with insulation contractors:
- check and ask for references, namely homeowners
for whom they have done insulation works and certifications.
- get cost estimations for insulation (it's always good practise
to demand them to several contractors).
- ask about insurances (insurances involving the contractor and
his staff, and insurance involving potential damages...)
- check the insulation materials and their brands (be aware with
insulation materials packed in unlabelled bags).
- insulation materials should be evaluated by their
r-values and not in inches. In USA, the Federal
Trade Commission does not allow insulation to be marked by its
R-value per inch. You should ask a guarantee of a specific
R-value.
- demand a contract or
receipt involving the insulation installed. Law requires it in
USA and other countries.
- check the final work (eventually, demand to someone with
enough expertise); inspect the amount of insulation and if it is
properly installed .
Do not forget: ask
for a list of references and be sure to call the references.
Home
insulation
rules
In USA, the
Home Insulation
Rule 460,
from the Federal
Trade Commission,
regulates home
insulation. That rule states that consumers should receive from
the contractors or home builders:
- fact-sheets on installed insulation.
- a contract or a receipt (duly signed and dated by the
installer/home builder) for the installed insulation, stating
coverage area, thickness, R-value and also the number of bags of
fiber used or other quantification of the material.
In the case of new houses, the sales contract should list
the type, R-value and thickness (see
Insulation
& performance)
of each type of insulation
material installed in every part of the house (see
Insulation
materials).
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