It’s important to understand your HVAC system — and specifically, how to make it run at its most efficient. If your home isn’t properly prepared for the heat, you risk wasting money on your AC bills. However, there are techniques and other options you can pursue to keep your property cool and comfortable on the hottest days.

Keep reading to discover some tried-and-true ways to get the most out of your home’s insulation and AC system.

Understanding Insulation

Insulation is a material that blocks outdoor air from entering a home and keeps your home’s conditioned air inside.

Various insulation materials, such as fiberglass batts, blown-in materials, eco-friendly recycled paper and aluminum sheets, can be used for insulation. These are installed in walls, ceilings and attics to keep homes energy-efficient and comfortable.

Insulation should be installed in the right way with materials that work best for the size and space they occupy. Working with expert technicians, you can add insulation to many places throughout your home, blocking outside air from entering and keeping interior air inside.

Visalia summers can get hot — so we’re here to offer a few additional ways homeowners can keep their properties comfortable.

Upgrade Blinds & Window Treatments

Blinds and other window treatments are crucial in keeping a property cool during the summer. Closing your blinds to block direct sunlight can keep the heat at bay.

While blinds, shades and curtains can keep the sun and heat out, not all window treatments are the same. Purchase thick curtains or ‘blackout-rated’ blinds or shades for heat control. Darker colors help keep more brightness out of the home.

Proper installation of these window treatments is key to staying cool — especially for windows that face the sun for most of the day. Identify where the sun is most likely to enter your home and install the best window treatments on those windows.

Consider HVAC Upgrades

Modern HVAC units allow for quick cooling and temperature control throughout the home. Compared to other models, energy-efficient units allow for cooling your home without driving up your electrical bills.

When considering a new system, work with a professional HVAC technician. They can discuss your specific needs and make sure the system fits your house size, budget and temperature preferences.

Explore Air Sealing

Air leakage through poor insulation or gaps in entry points can release your conditioned air, making it difficult to keep your home cool. Just like driving with the windows down and the AC on, fully sealing the space prevents your system from working too hard to keep your home comfortable. Air sealing can be a solution.

Many areas in the home could suffer from air leaking, including windows, doors, fans, vents, ductwork and more. A technician can find these openings and seal them tightly to help keep your cool air inside.

Test Ventilation Solutions

You need operational air ducts and vents for your AC to deliver cool air throughout your home. If there are breaks, blockages or other obstacles, you may place undue stress on your system.

An HVAC team can inspect your entire ventilation system, ensure it’s sealed properly and deliver as much cool air as possible. Checking to see if your vents are open in each room can help ensure your whole home stays cool.

Keeping Cool in the California Heat

When temperatures rise, make sure you know the state of your insulation and HVAC system to avoid overspending on your AC bill. With the right techniques and installations, you can help extend the life of your system and equipment and keep cool in the heat.

The Broken Drum Insulation of Visalia team can keep your place cool. We offer insulation services, air sealing and more.

Call 559-627-1032 today to discuss home insulation services in Visalia.

Spray foam insulation is a popular choice among home and business owners and is aptly named for the way it is installed. Whether you are choosing your insulation material for your new build or looking to increase the comfort and energy efficiency of your current home or commercial property, spray foam insulation offers a number of advantages over the more traditional batt or blown-in insulation. Broken Drum Insulation of Visalia is proud to offer our residential and commercial customers the finest insulation products and services in the Fresno and Visalia areas.

Call (559) 627-1032 to get started on your next project or contact us online and let us know how we can help.  

What Is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is made from polyurethane and isocyanate, which react when mixed. The material is sprayed in between wall, floor and ceiling joists in a liquid form. Within seconds of the application, it expands and hardens to fill even the smallest cracks and gaps, forming an insulative barrier and an airtight seal.

Types of Spray Foam Insulation

There are two types of spray foam insulation, each with its own set of unique characteristics and benefits:

• Open-cell spray foam – The open-cell formulation is the less expensive option, and it’s more effective at blocking sound. This dense substance is spongy to the touch, due to the air between the cells, and like its counterpart, it expands aggressively upon application to fill even the tightest spaces.
• Closed-cell spray foam – Closed-cell spray foam has a higher initial cost, greater density and an outstanding R-value. Because it is so dense, closed-cell insulation is better at preventing air and moisture penetration and can inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is a great investment for any residential or commercial building, with a number of benefits that include:

Energy Savings

The addition of spray foam insulation can help to reduce air leakage and heat transfer between the indoors and outdoors. This reduces the strain on your heating and cooling equipment and decreases the amount of energy needed to maintain the desired temperature in your home or business.

Enhanced Air Quality

Unlike other forms of insulation, spray foam is able to reach deep into cracks and crevices for a tight seal that prevents the infiltration of insects, pollen, dust and other allergens into your indoor environment. Spray foam is also an effective moisture barrier and is mold- and mildew-resistant.

Increased Comfort

Spray foam helps to minimize sound transmission between floors and from the outdoors to the indoors for a more peaceful indoor environment, while exceptional R-values and air sealing result in more consistent, even temperatures between rooms.

Greater Structural Integrity

Due to its hardness and density, closed-cell spray foam can enhance the wind and pressurization resistance of structural elements, including your walls and roof.

High R-Value

Open-cell spray foam has an average R-value of R-3.5 per inch, while the closed-cell variety has an average of R-6 per inch, making it the highest-rated insulation on the market today.

Long Life Span

Spray foam insulation has an indefinite life span, unlike batt or blown-in insulation, which may compress, rot, break down or sustain water damage over time.

Contact BDI Insulation of Visalia Today!

For expert, efficient spray foam insulation installation, you can trust the team of dedicated professionals at BDI Insulation of Visalia. We offer free estimates for all your commercial and residential insulation needs.

Call (559) 627-1032 or contact us online today!

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