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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. It’s the perfect season to prepare your home for the months ahead with smart, proactive maintenance. Milder temperatures make it easier to take care of key tasks like checking your attic’s insulation or replacing filters before winter weather sets in. Here are five essential tasks for your fall home maintenance checklist if you live in Arizona or New Mexico.
Fall is the best time to inspect your roof, especially after intense summer heat and monsoon storms. From the ground, use binoculars to scan for:
Also, on a bright day, check inside your attic for stains or leaks.
A well-maintained roof not only helps prevent water damage from sudden fall showers but also protects your attic and insulation from moisture and mold. Remember, catching small problems early will prevent costly repairs down the road.
Your gutters play a crucial role, even in the dry Southwest. They direct rainwater away from your roof and foundation. But fall leaves, needles, and even the occasional Frisbee can clog them fast.
To properly clean your gutters:
Clogged gutters cause overflow that can damage your roof, siding, and insulation. Clean them each fall (and spring), and more often if you have trees nearby. And don’t hesitate to call a professional to do the job for you.
Air leaks let cold air in and warm air out, wasting energy and raising bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of energy loss happens through windows and other openings.
What to do:
Leaks can be hard to find, so consider getting a professional energy audit. Having a well-sealed home will not only help keep out pests and dust but will save you money.
Changing your furnace filter is a small job with big benefits. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder and lowers indoor air quality. Switch out your filters regularly and consider upgrading to pleated filters with higher MERV ratings.
HEPA filters trap up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pet dander, and bacteria. They help keep your air clean and your system working properly, especially as you spend more time indoors with the cooler weather.
Fall is an ideal time to check your attic’s insulation levels, when temperatures are cooler, and inspecting your attic is a more comfortable job.
When checking on your attic’s insulation, it’s important to identify the type of insulation you have and the condition it’s in. Look for gaps, compression, or moisture damage. You’ll also want to make sure you have the right amount of insulation. You may even discover your attic doesn’t have any insulation. It turns out that 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S., including New Mexico and Arizona, are under insulated.
Installing proper insulation and air sealing in your attic is a cost-effective home upgrade with significant energy efficiency returns. It helps reduce drafts and temperature fluctuations and can save you up to 15% on your annual heating and cooling bills. And even better, local utilities offer rebates to offset your energy efficiency improvement costs.
Follow these insulation guidelines, based on your region’s climate zone. Southern areas will need less insulation compared to more northern or high-altitude regions. Remember higher R-values mean better insulation performance.
Round out your maintenance routine with these final tips:
This fall don’t wait for problems to find you. Use this fall home maintenance checklist to protect your investment, boost comfort, and save energy. Whether it’s cleaning gutters, sealing air leaks, or upgrading your home’s insulation, every task you complete helps make your home safer and more efficient for the season ahead. Never hesitate to hire a professional to ensure your home is weather ready.
At Banker Insulation, we work hard every day to ensure the homes throughout our New Mexico and Arizona communities are energy efficient and ready for every type of weather. When you need expert energy efficiency solutions for your home, you can count on our expert team to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about our insulation options.
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.
