Category: energy audits

Essential Guide to Quick Insulation Tips in Arizona & New Mexico

In the unique climates of Arizona and New Mexico, proper insulation plays a crucial role in regulating indoor…

Easy Tips to Boost Your Home’s Comfort and Slash Energy Bills

In the unique climates of Arizona and New Mexico, proper insulation plays a crucial role in regulating indoor temperatures and saving energy. By creating an effective barrier against heat transfer, insulation can dramatically improve your home’s comfort while significantly reducing energy costs, especially in regions known for extreme temperature swings.

Front of a southwest style home.

The Importance of Insulation in the Desert Southwest

The Southwest presents specific challenges for you and fellow homeowners: scorching summers, surprisingly cold winters, and unique building materials like adobe. Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, keeping your home cool in summer and warm in winter.

While insulation helps keep your home comfortable year-round, it offers a host of other benefits that you and your wallet will appreciate.

  • Less strain on your HVAC system. Insulation allows your heating and cooling system to work less.
  • Lower energy bills. Less stress on your AC means less money you have to pay each month in energy costs.
  • Potential tax incentives and rebates for energy upgrades. Get rewarded for improving your home’s energy efficiency.
  • Increased home value. An energy efficient home with quality insulation and energy upgrades is always a big deal to eco-friendly buyers.

Have an Energy Audit Done–Your First Step to Savings

A professional energy audit is invaluable for identifying hidden air leaks and insulation gaps, assessing your current insulation’s effectiveness, and determining if it meets the recommended R-value for your home state.

At Banker Insulation, our Chandler location offers expert home energy audits to help you prioritize energy-saving solutions. Our professionals use tools like blower door tests and infrared scanners to detect energy inefficiencies and provide tailored recommendations for energy upgrades.

Selecting the Right Insulation for Your Home

When choosing insulation, focus on the R-value–a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values generally provide better insulation, especially in the extreme climate of Arizona and New Mexico. Every state has been placed into one or more designated climate zones that have certain insulation R-value recommendations for every part of your home including your attic, walls, floors, ceilings, basement and/or crawl space. See table (right) for recommended R-values in our region.

There are a variety of effective insulation materials available to you. Many homeowners often use more than one type of insulation for the different parts of their home. Check with your installer to see which types of insulation they offer. Some of the popular insulation types include:

  1. Blown-in: Cellulose is an eco-friendly choice made of recycled paper products and great for filling gaps, while fiberglass insulation is budget friendly and versatile.
  2. Insulation batts: Batts can be made of fiberglass or mineral wool that snugly fits between wall studs and ceiling joists.
  3. Spray Foam: Open-cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation offers excellent air sealing and insulating and high R-value.
Location Arizona New Mexico
Attic R38 to R60 R38 to R60
Walls R13 to R20 R20
Ceilings R38 to R49 R38 to R49
Floors R13 to R30 R19 to R30
Suggested Insulation R-Values for Arizona & New Mexico

Why Professional Installation Matters

While DIY insulation may seem tempting, professional installation ensures maximum efficiency and safety. Experts have the tools, experience, and protective gear necessary to handle various insulation materials properly and ensure seamless and effective installation. This includes wearing a dust mask and long-sleeved clothing when working with fiberglass insulation, and using a utility knife for precise cuts to guarantee insulation snugly fits in all spaces.

A professional insulation company like Banker Insulation will walk you through every step of the installation process and work with you to choose the right insulation materials for your home. You can have peace of mind that your insulation is installed right the first time, for maximum effectiveness, when you trust the job to a professional.

Partner with Arizona and New Mexico’s Insulation Experts

At Banker Insulation, we have been a trusted local leader in insulation and energy conservation since 1977, offering comprehensive services to homeowners like you including:

  • A wide range of insulation materials for all home types
  • Professional installation solutions tailored to our desert climate
  • Home energy audits (Chandler location only)
  • Soundproofing solutions
  • Insulation removal

With eight Arizona locations and one in Albuquerque, we demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction throughout the region.

Banker Insulation team members at work, unloading a truck.

Ready to boost your home’s comfort and slash your energy bills? Our team of experts is ready to help you select the best insulating materials to maximize the performance and energy efficiency of your Arizona or New Mexico home. Rest easy, we’ve got your home covered from top to bottom with quality insulation solutions to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable year-round. Contact us today to learn more about our insulation products and services and receive your free estimate.

How to Ensure Wintry Warmth in Arizona and New Mexico

Here are some tips, including hiring an insulation contractor, about energy audits and insulation installation that will help keep your home warm this winter.

Updated January 2024

When winter draws near, fellow Arizona and New Mexico homeowners prepare for the colder months ahead. Even though our desert climate is renowned for its scorching summers, the winter months can still bring chilly temperatures, prompting us to seek ways to keep our abodes warm without driving up our energy bills. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies and winter energy-saving tips that can help us achieve a cozy home environment while also being mindful of energy conservation and cost efficiency.

Seal the Warmth: Tips for Improving Insulation

Two of the biggest contributors to high energy bills are inadequate or damaged insulation and air leaks. When your home’s insulation levels fall below ENERGY STAR’s recommended R-values or become damaged by pests or water, the insulation can’t adequately resist heat flow and becomes less effective. While air leaks around your windows, doors, and other areas of your home allow heated air to easily seep out and cold air to seep in.

The best way to ensure your home has the right amount of insulation in the right place is to hire an insulation contractor to assess your current insulation levels. A professional can identify areas where your insulation may be lacking, such as walls, attics, and crawl spaces, recommend necessary upgrades, and provide you with an accurate cost estimate.

As for air leaks, seal drafts with caulk and weatherstripping to reduce heat loss and cold air infiltration and consider undergoing a home energy audit. During an audit, specialized equipment is used, such as a blower door test and infrared camera, to pinpoint air leaks and provide you with a list of energy efficient home improvements.

Working installing insulation in attic.

Take the time now, before winter weather hits, to invest in insulation upgrades like fiberglass blown-in wall insulation, spray foam insulation (that insulates and air seals in one step), or extra attic insulation. And be sure to take advantage of any tax credits and rebates that may be available to you.

Mastering Winter Warmth: Strategic Heating & Thermostat Use

Smiling woman using a smart thermostat.

Energy.gov reports that the average American household’s heating system accounts for almost 30% of their total utility bill. This makes it even more important to take advantage of the variety of ways to strategically heat your Southwest home or business, utilizing both technology and applying other simple measures.

During the winter months, it’s important to set your indoor temperature to an ideal setting, preferably 68°F during the day and 65°F at night. A simple programmable thermostat will let you “set it and forget it” while a smart thermostat adjusts temperatures around your schedule, preferences, and the weather. You’re able to monitor and control your smart thermostat using your smartphone. Both thermostats are effective choices that reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

Also consider these other strategic heating measures to encourage energy conservation:

  • Take advantage of zone heating. Closing doors and vents in unused rooms will allow you to concentrate warmth where it’s needed most, rather than heating your entire house or building.
  • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan. Doing so will draw air up, push the heated air into the corners of your room and send the warm air back down to heat up your family.
  • Lower the temperature of your water heater. Keep it set at no higher than 120°F to help save energy.

Let the Light In: Efficient Window Options

Windows are another potential source of heat loss during the cold winter months. Investing in energy efficient double or triple pane windows can improve insulation and reduce cold air infiltration. South-facing windows are particularly beneficial, as they allow for maximum solar heat gain during daylight hours. To further enhance insulation, you can draw thick curtains and blinds at night to trap warm air indoors, while opening them during sunny days to naturally heat your home. Taking these steps can help warm your home or business without turning the heater up and, in turn, help lower your energy consumption.

Woman sipping warm drink on a bright winter morning.

Embrace the Beauty of a Southwest Winter in a Cozy Home

When temperatures drop and the winter chill sets in, incorporating these winter energy-saving tips into your home maintenance routine will help you stay warm and cozy while also saving money and reducing your environmental footprint. With a combination of insulation upgrades, smart thermostat usage, and efficient window solutions, you can enjoy a comfortable living space throughout the winter season without breaking the bank.

For personalized advice and assistance with your commercial or home improvements geared towards energy efficiency, contact Banker Insulation today. With 18 locations across Arizona and New Mexico, our expert team is ready to provide insulation and energy solutions tailored to your specific needs so you can stay cozy, stay energy efficient, and embrace the beauty of winter in Arizona and New Mexico.

Everything You Need to Know About Cellulose Insulation

When used to insulate an attic, cellulose insulation will help regulate your home’s temperatures, thereby improving your comfort. It will also help save you money on high cooling costs in the summer and heating expenses in the winter.

According to ENERGY STAR, you can expect a ten percent savings on annual energy bills when you combine insulation installation with effective air sealing techniques, such as applying caulk and adding weather stripping materials around the windows and doors of your home. A professional energy audit is the most effective way to identify air leakage.

Professional installation is essential for reducing energy costs. An insulation contractor will ensure that all materials are installed correctly and at the proper depths to achieve ENERGY STAR’s recommended R-values. R-values refer to how well the insulating material can resist heat flow.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CELLULOSE INSULATION

What is it?

Cellulose is a paper-based insulating material. It usually contains more than 80 percent of recycled paper products, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Because cellulose is a loose fill material, it can be blown-into attic spaces and densely packed in wall and floor cavities. Blown-in insulation, like cellulose, requires professional installation from an insulation company.

How will it benefit you?

  • Enhanced comfort
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Excellent thermal performance
  • It has noise reducing qualities
  • Inhibits the growth of mold
  • Minimizes insects and vermin
  • It is treated with fire retardants and, as such, has a Class I Fire Rating

Leading Insulation Company Since 1977

Banker Insulation is a full service insulation contractor with 18 valley locations to help Arizonans improve their residential or commercial property’s energy efficiency. Our company also has a location in New Mexico.

Banker Insulation has been installing fiberglass insulation and other types of materials since 1977. Additional services include sound attenuation and energy audits. Schedule an appointment today by contacting one of our offices.

Fall Home Maintenance

The dog days of summer will soon be replaced by fall’s cooler weather and stunning canvas. Fall is an ideal time to check these tasks, including ensuring adequate levels of fiberglass insulation in the attic, off your home maintenance checklist.

Inspect the Roof

Inspect the roof for any storm damage, abnormal wearing, or signs of aging. Do this from the ground by using binoculars, if necessary, and walking around the house’s perimeter. You should also check in the attic for light infiltration or damp fiberglass insulation. The latter may indicate a roof leak and insulation will need to be replaced by an experienced insulation contractor.

Fall Home Maintenance

Clean the Gutters

The gutters, if your home has them, direct rainwater away from your foundation. Dead leaves, tree needles, and the flyaway Frisbee can impact water flow by causing a blockage should they build up over time. Water then can damage your roof, insulation, siding, and foundation. Scoop out the gunk and then rinse the gutters each fall and spring – more frequently if your landscape features a lot of trees.

Check for Air Leaks

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat gain or loss through windows accounts for between 25 and 30 percent of your heating and cooling energy use, and they are not the only thing costing you money.

Air leaks can also cause a spike in your heating and cooling costs.

Because the source of air leaks can be challenging to identify without the correct tools, consider having an energy audit done by a licensed insulation contractor. It is essential to seal air leaks and insulate to see savings.

Change Your Filters

Routinely replace the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. A good rule of thumb is to replace inexpensive filters every 30 days for maximum efficiency.

Now more than ever before, it is recommended to select high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which can go about 90 days before changing them is necessary.

A HEPA filter can effectively remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles such as dust, pet dander, and bacteria with a size of 0.3 microns. They can help improve indoor air quality and comfort. You can find replacement filters online or in stores.

Improve Fiberglass Insulation Levels

Another issue that may impact your energy efficiency is insufficient levels of fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass, whether loose fill or batts, provides good thermal performance at an attractive price point. It is also made of a significant amount of recycled content.

Uninsulated attics in valley homes should be insulated with an R-value – a measure of the material’s ability to resist heat transfers – between R30 and R60. Attics with existing insulation should meet a value between R25 to R38.

Banker Insulation is a full service insulation contractor with 18 valley locations to help Arizonans improve their residential or commercial property’s energy efficiency. Banker Insulation has been installing fiberglass insulation and other types of materials since 1977. Additional services include sound attenuation and energy audits. Schedule an appointment today by contacting one of our offices.

This blog has been updated from a 2018 post.