Welcome to another episode of the Home Services Home Show! This is where you’ll not only learn everything you need to know but also a whole lot you didn’t expect. Let’s dive right in!
We’ve been chatting a lot behind the scenes here, and if you didn’t know, Josh and I hang out pretty frequently outside of the show. I pay him well, of course (but he’s also my friend!).
Now, here’s something that always surprises me. I’m constantly making movie references, and Josh? Well, he’s completely lost. Seriously. You won’t believe this, but he’s never seen Gladiator, Old School, or any of those classic films that I can quote by heart. It’s honestly a part of popular culture! How could anyone not know these iconic lines?
Josh, on the other hand, claims it’s because he and his wife aren’t big movie people. They’re working on it, though. He even mentioned that the arrival of kids really changes your movie-watching habits. You know, when little ones are running around, maybe certain movies aren’t exactly kid-friendly. It’s hard to justify watching Will Ferrell in Old School, doing a beer bong and streaking through the quad, when your kids are nearby!
I get it, though. As a parent, there are plenty of things that can change your schedule—especially when you’re busy with kids, like Josh. It’s like your “movie time” just disappears! As Josh said, he’s got a kid in college now, so his perspective is shifting. We’re not at that stage yet, but I can see how that changes the game.
One thing Josh did tell me is that he’s actively trying to catch up on movies and pop culture. The plan? Well, I told him I would make a movie list for him to get started. But guess what? The list didn’t work—he’s just not that into it. It’s funny, because no one’s “21” anymore, right? The enthusiasm to watch movies sometimes just isn’t there!
It’s kind of hilarious though, because in the meantime, we have these random movie references that continue to pop up. Like the Catalina Wine Mixer. If you haven’t seen Step Brothers, let me just tell you: That’s a scene you need to know! Josh and his wife, however, had a different reaction. She wasn’t a big fan of Step Brothers. But hey, some people just don’t get Will Ferrell’s comedy. It’s a hit-or-miss thing.
Now, let’s get to something a bit more serious. If you’re into action and drama, I highly recommend War Dogs. It’s based on a true story, and Josh and I both agreed that it’s worth watching, even if Amy might think it’s a little “dumb” (though I disagree!). Still, if you love a good thriller with a side of real-life inspiration, War Dogs should be on your list.
So, if you’re a busy parent trying to get through those years of little ones running around, I totally get it. Maybe movie time isn’t as easy to come by anymore, but hey, there’s always a good time to catch up on the classics (and maybe War Dogs too).
Let us know what movies you think we should add to the list! Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes fun, tips, and a little bit of everything.
When it comes to making a home comfortable and energy-efficient, one thing is clear: it’s not just about throwing insulation into the attic and calling it a day. The discussion around home insulation goes much deeper, and it’s important to understand why it’s crucial for long-term performance.
Favorite Movies and Unlikely Comparisons
It’s funny how conversations can quickly veer off track, but sometimes they reveal important insights. Take a casual chat about favorite movies, for example. While one person mentions “Rudy,” a classic underdog sports story, the conversation shifts to how certain things seem great in theory, but aren’t always as they seem. “Rudy” is a true story, which adds to its charm, much like the true story behind home performance work – it’s all about getting things right.
Just like the film “Braveheart,” which is loosely based on history, home improvement (specifically insulation) isn’t always what people think it is. Often, homeowners are told they need more insulation, but what they really need is a better-performing home overall.
Home Performance Over Insulation
The phrase “insulation” is often misunderstood. Many people believe that adding more insulation will automatically solve their home’s comfort and energy efficiency issues. But that’s like slapping a coat of paint on a rusty car – it might look better for a while, but it doesn’t fix the underlying problems.
What many homeowners fail to realize is that the performance of a home goes far beyond just adding insulation. It’s about creating a balance in the home’s energy system. Home performance work involves addressing the factors that affect your home’s efficiency, from the attic to the gutters to the roofing.
The Dangers of a Quick Fix
The problem with simply adding more insulation is that it doesn’t solve the bigger issue. In fact, many companies out there offer insulation without looking at the root causes of discomfort. Imagine a company offering a solution without truly understanding the problem – that’s exactly what happens when a salesperson sells insulation without considering the overall home performance needs.
This doesn’t just leave homeowners with more insulation; it means they’re getting an ineffective solution that may only make the problem worse. It’s like patching up a broken pipe with duct tape – it might work for a while, but it’s not a long-term fix.
Home Performance Is the Key
Home performance is about understanding how all elements of a house work together to create a comfortable, efficient living space. In fact, it goes beyond just insulation – it’s about ensuring that every system in your home works optimally.
When you focus on home performance, you look at things like air sealing, insulation, HVAC systems, and ventilation. By addressing all these factors, you can create a home that’s comfortable year-round, rather than just adding more insulation in the hope that it will fix everything.
Don’t Be Misled: Helping Homeowners the Right Way
At the end of the day, the goal is to help the homeowner. It’s not about making a quick sale or adding more insulation for the sake of it. The right solution is to help customers understand their homes and make informed decisions based on their needs. Insulation is just one piece of the puzzle, and it’s important to ensure that it’s part of a larger plan for improving the home’s performance.
So, next time someone suggests you need more insulation, think about what that really means. It could be that your home needs more than just insulation – it needs a complete performance overhaul.
Conclusion: Making Homes Perform Better
Just like watching “Rudy” or “Braveheart,” understanding the deeper story behind your home’s energy efficiency can lead to a real transformation. When you stop thinking about insulation as a quick fix and start thinking about it as part of a comprehensive home performance strategy, you’ll see a world of difference.
Don’t settle for surface-level fixes. Think about the long-term comfort and efficiency of your home. After all, a home that performs well is a home that truly works for you.
When it comes to improving your home’s insulation, there are many ways to go about it. But one question that frequently comes up in discussions with homeowners is whether or not they should remove their old insulation before upgrading their attic. Let’s dive into why, in most cases, it’s best to start fresh and remove the old insulation.
A Personal Experience: The Insulation Job at My House
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the insulation field is seeing the difference a professional installation can make. Recently, I had the chance to visit a new construction home where the insulation work was completed by Rainbow Insulators out of Madison. Their team did an outstanding job on this new build, especially in air sealing and properly insulating areas like the rim joists on both the first and second levels. This was something I hadn’t even considered before, but they nailed it—something that often gets overlooked in construction.
They also air-sealed the ducts running through the attic, which is typically not ideal. Normally, ducts in attics can cause serious energy inefficiencies unless they are insulated and sealed properly. The builder and I walked through the home, and I insisted that the ducts be covered with insulation. The builder seemed surprised by the request, as he hadn’t been through an insulation walkthrough before. However, after the job was done, I was really pleased with the results, and it got me thinking about an ongoing debate in the industry: should you remove old insulation before upgrading?
Should You Keep or Remove Old Insulation?
It’s a classic question in the insulation world: do you leave the existing insulation in place or remove it to do the job right?
While it’s technically possible to work around old insulation, the reality is that it often makes the job much harder. If you’ve ever been up in your attic, you know that insulation can get messy. It can be in piles, falling out of place, and even getting in the way when you’re trying to seal up all the cracks and gaps. This can make it nearly impossible to properly air seal every penetration and perform the necessary upgrades.
So, what’s the best approach? Remove it. Here’s why:
Starting Fresh: The Same Logic as Roof Replacement
We wouldn’t install a new roof over an old one—it’s just not done. It’s not about saving money or being lazy; it’s about doing the job right. A new roof needs a clean surface, proper flashing, and correct layering of materials to prevent leaks. Similarly, in insulation, starting with a clean slate allows the team to do a better job.
If we tried to install insulation over old materials that have already shifted or degraded, we wouldn’t be able to ensure the job was done properly. In fact, it could lead to energy inefficiencies down the line, just like how a leaky roof can cause long-term damage.
The Surprising Truth About Your Attic: Mice and Bats
When we remove old insulation, we often find some uninvited guests living in it. Mice, bats, and other creatures love the warmth and isolation that attics offer. These critters burrow through the insulation, leaving tunnels that can be seen through thermal imaging cameras. You might not realize how much of an issue this is until you start pulling things apart, but it’s something that can impact both the cleanliness of your home and its energy efficiency.
Why Starting Fresh Makes the Job Easier
The process of removing old insulation isn’t as messy as you might think. We have specialized techniques to safely and efficiently get it out of your home. Once it’s removed, we have a clean canvas to air seal and insulate properly. This guarantees the best possible results for your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
It’s like trying to perform surgery with a blindfold on—you can’t do it well if you can’t see what’s going on. Similarly, we can’t properly insulate your attic if we’re dealing with layers of old, improperly installed insulation.
The Bottom Line: Do It Right the First Time
At the end of the day, whether you’re dealing with a new build or upgrading an older home, the key to doing the job right is starting fresh. By removing the old insulation, we ensure that every detail is handled properly and that the job is done to the highest standards.
While it may feel like a hassle to take out old insulation, it’s the best choice for long-term comfort and energy savings. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your attic insulation, remember—sometimes, the best way to improve is to clear the way for something new.
If you’re struggling to maintain consistent temperatures or battling high heating and cooling bills, it might be time to address air sealing in your home. Air sealing is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical step toward improving energy efficiency and comfort. Let’s break it down, and explore why air sealing is just as important as, or even more crucial than insulation.
What Is Air Sealing?
In simple terms, air sealing means filling gaps and cracks in your home’s envelope, where air might escape or enter. These gaps can occur around windows, doors, electrical wiring, chimneys, and even around the top plates where your walls meet the ceiling. When air moves freely through these cracks, it can affect the temperature inside and make your heating or cooling systems work harder than necessary.
The Impact of Air Leaks
When someone hears the word “leak,” they usually associate it with something bad, like a roof leak or a plumbing problem. But in the case of homes, air leaks are often overlooked. However, they can be just as damaging to your comfort and energy bills.
Older homes—especially those built in the ’90s or earlier—are often riddled with air leaks due to poor construction methods. While newer homes are being built with better practices, many older homes could greatly benefit from a proper air sealing treatment.
Why Air Sealing Is More Important Than Insulation
Here’s a surprising fact: Proper air sealing can be more beneficial than insulation alone—especially in the winter. If your home is sealed correctly, even without insulation, it can still feel more comfortable than a house with insulation but no air sealing.
The reason? It’s all about heat loss. In the winter, heat rises and escapes through gaps in your home, and without proper air sealing, you’re essentially throwing money out the window. This loss of heated air can make your heating system work overtime, driving up your energy costs.
The Role of Stack Effect in Your Home
One key player in heat loss is something called the stack effect. This is a natural process where warm air rises and escapes, and cold air moves in from below. You may have noticed it when walking into tall buildings with revolving doors—this is a result of stack effect. The taller the building, the more intense the effect.
In your home, if air sealing isn’t done properly, you could be dealing with hot or cold air that constantly moves around your house, affecting your comfort. This is why air sealing should be the first priority, even before worrying about insulation.
Real-Life Example: Fixing a Home’s Air Leaks
We’ve seen it firsthand. One of our customers had a home that was only eight years old but had serious temperature control problems. In the summer, one side of the house would remain uncomfortably hot, even though the air conditioner was running at full force.
The problem was traced back to poor ductwork. The HVAC system was installed in the attic, and the ducts were poorly routed, causing a significant loss of efficiency. The solution? Instead of simply adding more insulation, we focused on improving the air sealing and ductwork. The result was a more comfortable home that could properly regulate temperatures, even in the hottest months.
The Power of Insulation and Air Sealing Together
While air sealing is critical, it doesn’t mean you can ignore insulation altogether. Insulation and air sealing work hand-in-hand to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. If you have a decent amount of insulation but still deal with temperature fluctuations or high energy bills, it’s time to consider air sealing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some homeowners mistakenly think that simply adding more insulation will solve their problems. However, this isn’t always the case. Without addressing the leaks, you could be wasting energy by essentially “insulating” leaks.
Another common issue is neglecting the crawl spaces and attics. If your attic isn’t sealed, or if your crawl space is leaky, those are areas that need attention. Fixing one area without considering the rest of the house can lead to even worse problems, like increased leaks and inconsistent temperatures.
The Summer Problem: Air Sealing Matters Year-Round
Many people focus on insulation and air sealing only during the colder months, but in fact, air sealing is just as important in the summer. During the hot months, the attic can heat up to 140-150°F, radiating heat into the rooms below. Without proper sealing, this can cause your air conditioning to work much harder than it needs to, driving up your energy bills.
How Air Sealing Can Save You Money
Air sealing doesn’t just make your home more comfortable—it can also save you money. By preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, you’ll be able to reduce the strain on your heating and cooling systems. And with energy prices continually on the rise, making your home more energy-efficient is more important than ever.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, air sealing is about improving your home’s performance and comfort. By sealing air leaks and addressing any insulation issues, you can make your house more livable year-round. Whether you’re dealing with summer heat or winter cold, air sealing is a crucial step in improving your home’s energy efficiency and overall comfort.
Don’t wait—make sure your home is properly sealed, and enjoy a more comfortable, energy-efficient living space. Whether you’re dealing with the extremes of winter or the heat of summer, it’s time to make your home the best it can be.
