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Continue reading “Three Unique Advantages of Fiberglass Insulation for Arizona and New Mexico Homes”
Fiberglass insulation from Banker Insulation offers energy efficiency, soundproofing, and eco-friendliness, with 40-60% recycled content. Professional installation ensures optimal fit and R-values.
Living in Arizona or New Mexico means dealing with blazing hot summers and cool winters. That’s why proper insulation is so important. It keeps your home comfortable year-round and helps lower your energy bills an average of 15%. When it comes to choosing the right insulation for your home, fiberglass insulation is a popular choice. It’s moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, and offers good soundproofing, making it a strong option overall.
Two of the most common forms of fiberglass are fiberglass batts and loose fill fiberglass (also called blown-in fiberglass). In this post, we’ll compare both and help you decide which insulation is right for your desert home.
Batt insulation comes in precut panels or rolls that fit between wall studs, floor joists, or attic rafters. It’s one of the most familiar insulation options and is often a go-to for home improvement projects.
A big benefit of batt insulation is its versatility. It can be installed in many parts of your home, such as the attic, walls, and floors, and still meet ENERGY STAR’s recommended R-values, if it’s installed properly with no gaps.
Loose fill fiberglass, also known as blown-in insulation, is made up of small shreds of fiberglass that are blown into place with special equipment. It’s especially good for attic insulation.
Blown-in fiberglass works well in tricky spaces and can be added on top of older batt insulation. It’s also the best choice for attics with odd shapes or hard-to-reach areas.
In a desert climate like ours, the Department of Energy recommends attic R-values between R-38 and R-60. With low humidity and a lessened risk of mold growth, fiberglass insulation performs extremely well here.
Loose fill fiberglass is great for:
Fiberglass batts are better suited for:
Budget-friendly or DIY-friendly jobs for smaller areas
Either type of insulation works in the desert heat to help create an energy-efficient home if installed correctly.
Yes! Adding blown-in fiberglass on top of fiberglass batts is common and effective.
Loose fill fiberglass often costs more due to equipment and professional labor, but it saves more energy in complex spaces.
Check the depth of insulation in your attic. If it’s below the recommended R-value, you’re likely losing energy and money.
Fiberglass insulation is a top choice for its cost, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits. It contains up to 60% recycled material and offers strong thermal performance with resistance to moisture and fire.
Regardless of which type of fiberglass you choose to use, batt or loose fill, it’s always wisest to have your insulation installed by professionals for the best results. At Banker Insulation, homeowners, builders, and contractors have counted on our expert team for high quality insulation installation since 1977. With 18 locations across Arizona and New Mexico, we’re here to serve your insulating needs too. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate and improve your Arizona or New Mexico home’s comfort and efficiency with fiberglass insulation.
References
“Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat.” University of Arizona News, https://news.arizona.edu/news/keeping-homes-and-cities-cool-extreme-heat.
“Three Unique Advantages of Fiberglass Insulation for Arizona and New Mexico Homes.” Banker Insulation, https://insulationestimates.com/blog/three-unique-advantages-of-fiberglass-insulation-for-arizona-and-new-mexico-homes/.
“Insulation Rebate.” Salt River Project (SRP), https://www.srpnet.com/energy-savings-rebates/home/rebates/insulation.
“Quick Tips for Insulation Installation.” Banker Insulation, https://insulationestimates.com/blog/quick-tips-for-insulation-installation/.
“Energy Savings by Insulation.” Arizona State University Energy Efficiency Center, https://eec.asu.edu/2023/07/11/energy-savings-by-insulation/.
“Insulation Rebate.” Arizona Public Service (APS), https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Save-Money-and-Energy/Your-Energy-Your-Options/Rebates/Insulation-Rebate.
“Types of Insulation.” U.S. Dept. of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/types-insulation.
“Recommended Home Insulation R-Values.” Energy Star. https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/identify-problems-you-want-fix/diy-checks-inspections/insulation-r-values.
Get ready for fall by tackling essential home tasks: inspect the roof for leaks, clear the gutters, seal air leaks, replace HVAC filters, and check attic insulation levels. Banker Insulation can help boost your home’s energy efficiency.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fiberglass insulation is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sound-dampening. Banker Insulation provides optimal efficiency with expert installation.
Since its introduction in the late 1930s, fiberglass insulation has remained one of the most popular insulating materials, and with good reason. Pre-cut rolls or batts and blown in loose-fill are the two most frequently sold types. It can be applied to attics, walls, floor cavities, and basement rim joists.
Because a tight fit is required for optimal energy efficiency, it is essential to hire an experienced and licensed insulation contractor, such as Banker Insulation. It is also recommended that any air leaks be sealed to ensure maximum efficiency.
Fiberglass insulation is predominantly manufactured using up to 60 percent recycled container glass, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, thus freeing landfill space. The glass is woven into tight fibers that trap pockets of air to slow the transference of conditioned, whether heated or cooled, air.
Fiberglass insulation is the ideal choice for budget-conscious consumers. There are plenty of options in terms of R-values and types that residential and commercial consumers can select from while remaining within budget. Another cost effective option to consider, especially if moisture is a concern, like in a basement, is to choose faced insulation. That insulation uses a vapor retardant to help prevent condensation.
Fiberglass insulation is offered in different thicknesses with different degrees of sound absorption. While noise reduction increases with depth, this insulating material will not block sound transmission. There are, however, products available with added sound attenuation. These products are ideal for several applications, including home theaters and home offices, as well as other areas where you’d like to block noise.
The R-value for fiberglass ranges between R-8 and R-40. These values measure the thermal resistance – how well the material resists heat – with a higher number offering the best performance. Contact an insulation contractor to identify the correct R-value for your area’s climate as well as where insulation is required. Make sure the material provides optimal energy efficiency by having it professionally installed.
Banker Insulation is a full-service insulation and energy conservation contractor with 18 valley locations to help Arizonans improve their residential or commercial property’s energy efficiency. Banker Insulation has been offering the installation of fiberglass insulation and other types of materials, along with sound attenuation services, and energy audits since 1977. Schedule an appointment today by contacting one of our offices.
