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Insulation Options for Your Commercial Building

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 15:40:09 GMT

A properly insulated commercial building costs less to heat and cool, an important consideration for your company's bottom line. Several insulation options are available, so you need to understand the benefits of each type before making a final decision.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam begins as a liquid foam. It is then sprayed into the area requiring insulation, where it expands to fill the space before it cures. The foam itself is made from polyurethane, a compound that minimizes heat transfer and provides superior insulative properties. Spray foam can also be used to seal cracks in walls or other surfaces.

Uses

The main benefit of spray foam is that it can be installed in existing buildings. Generally, only a small hole needs to be drilled into a wall in order to spray the insulation into the cavity, so the process isn't invasive at all.

There are three types of spray foam insulation. High-density foam, which provides the highest insulation level for spray foam, is typically used to insulate surfaces exposed to exterior elements, such as the roof and exterior walls. Medium- and low-density varieties are used in attic and interior wall cavities that don't vent to the outside.

Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is commonly used in residential buildings, but it is also an option in a commercial structure. It is made of fiberglass and in comes in sheets or rolls, which are installed in the walls, attic, and crawlspaces of a building.

Uses

Batt insulation is typically installed in new construction, simply because the walls or ceiling must be opened up in order to install it. It can also be installed at the time of building renovations or if the building has an easily accessible area for installation, such as the attic.

This insulation comes a large range of R-values, which indicate the level of insulation provided.

Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers are little more than reflective sheets. These sheets are designed to reflect heat away from where ever they are placed within the building. The sheets themselves are typically very thin and foil-like, although some radiant barriers are installed over foam boards in order to provide additional insulation.

Uses

Radiant barriers are almost exclusively used in roof and ceiling applications because they don't reduce thermal conduction, which is the transfer of heat or cold between spaces. Instead, the barriers simply reflect heat away. In the summer, this can help keep the upper floors of your commercial building cooler.

This type of insulation is primarily used in hot climates or on buildings with high sun exposure, simply because it only helps cool a building and it does not provide any heat gain. Properly installed radiant barriers can reduce your building cooling costs by up to 10 percent .

Blown-In Insulation

Blown-in insulation is also called loose fill. It is made of loose, fluffy pieces. These pieces are loaded into a motorized blower, which blows the insulation into wall, ceiling, or floor cavities.

Uses

This type of insulation is a great choice for increasing the insulation in existing buildings. Walls do not need to be removed for installation. Instead, a hole is drilled near the top of the wall and then the insulation is blown in to fill the cavity. Blown-in insulation works especially well for irregularly shaped cavities.

Blown-in insulation is typically made from fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose. Fiberglass is the most cost effective option, so it is commonly used. Rock wool is also popular, simply because it both provides insulation and is fire-resistant. For buildings trying to meet green building certification, cellulose is sometimes favored because it is made from recycled newspaper.

Contact Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., for more information on your insulation options.

What Is LEED Certification? And Why Should You Seek It?

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 15:17:27 GMT

LEED certification is probably something you've heard about, but it's also likely something you don't know much about in concrete terms. While the idea of LEED certification is often touted as a good idea for new buildings, how does it help you? And what if your construction project isn't new construction? Can you still achieve this goal - and should you?

To help you decide if LEED certification is something your building should strive for, here is a short guide to how it works.

The Basics of LEED

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED was designed to provide the public with a way to rate the energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of both public and private buildings. LEED certification is given using points in various categories. When the building or project's points add up to a certain level as a whole, it can be certified under LEED.

The Five Rating Systems

All construction is not the same, of course. A new building or a full renovation can be designed with LEED certification in mind, for instance. If you're not renovating, though, you can still make limited efficiency improvements. But holding all these efforts to the same standard wouldn't be productive.

The LEED system recognizes these differences and rates structures based on the type of project or building. These five ratings include the following:

Building Design and Construction, or new construction and significant renovations
Interior Design and Construction, or interior-only renovations
Building Operation and Maintenance, or non-renovation activities involving repairs and maintenance
Neighborhood Development, or new development
Homes, or single-family and small multi-family residences

Each ratings system has its own set of criteria for which points are given. The categories upon which a new core and shell construction project would be graded would be different than those upon which a leased space would be graded using interior alterations alone.

The Eight Categories

Within the ratings systems, there are eight basic categories for awarding points. The first is location and transportation, which grades such things as how close the structure is to forms of transportation and how well it's located for environmentally-friendly usage. The second, materials and resources, gauges the materials used in relation to their impact on the environment.

The third and fourth categories, water and energy efficiency, focus on minimizing and making efficient use of resources. A building might improve its energy efficiency points by using better insulation strategies that prevent heat and cold loss. Efficient use of water might include strategies such as recycling gray water and even adding green roofs to minimize rainwater runoff.

The sustainability category determines how your project affects the environment around it. And indoor environmental quality estimates the indoor air quality and how it has been improved.

The final two categories are for elements that vary from the normal requirements. Innovation in design offers recognition of creative solutions to problems and new ideas. The last category is for regional issues, such as harnessing solar power in sunny locations.

The Benefits of Certification

Getting LEED certification is not an easy task, nor is it a given even with modern construction practices. But doing so benefits your company in many ways.

What are some of these perks? Energy and water efficiency, for instance, reduces utility bills over the life of the structure. LEED certification is also a selling point for new homes and new buildings in a world that is increasingly conscious of its responsibility to the environment. It will raise the financial value of the building. And you're likely to see increased health in the building's users.

Ready to learn more about planning for and achieving LEED certification? The energy efficiency pros at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., can help. From the planning process to reviews and retrofitting, we are ready to help you get certified and enjoy the benefits that come with that. Call today to make an appointment.

What Exactly Does Insulation Do?

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:02:46 GMT

A lot of materials go into building a home or building, including a lot of hidden materials like insulation. Even though you can't see it, however, insulation is incredibly important for keeping your home comfortable without wasting energy. If you want to better care for your home, keep reading to see what insulation can do.

It Reduces the Transfer of Heat

Heat craves balance, so when your home is cooler than the outdoors, heat actively leaks inside your home. This happens for several reasons, such as holes and gaps around windows and doors, but it can also be caused by inadequate insulation. This is particularly a problem if you lack enough attic insulation.

Hot air rises, getting trapped in the attic. When too much heat gets trapped, it can push back down into the living space. Adding more insulation in the ceiling can help hinder the transfer. Lack of insulation in the walls can also allow heat to pass directly through in the form of conductive heat.

In the winter, heat tries to escape your home in many ways. First, since heat natural rises, the heat in your home raises to your attic and out the roof. As with helping stop heat gain, however, adding insulation between the attic joists will also prevent heat loss. In fact, you should have enough insulation so it raises above the joists.

Another reason you lose heat in the winter is because of the cold ground. Unless your house is raised of the ground, the heat from your house can get pulled into the cold ground to help balance the temperature.

Finally, most homeowners and landlords, ensure the ducts that transport heated or cold air have adequate insulation. Otherwise, heated air can lose heat before it reaches your living space, and cooled air can gain heat in uninsulated ducts.

It Can Help Keep Water Cold/Hot

It's also important to insulate pipes that carry water throughout your home. Throughout the year, this helps prevent loss of heat when you are using hot water. As a result, the water stays naturally warmer, so you don't have to crank up the temperature, wasting more energy and money.

In the winter, pipes get cold, which further worsens the loss of heat when you use hot water. However, regardless of the pipe or what type of water you use, an exposed pipe may become so cold it freezes and bursts, leading to water damage and expensive repairs.

It Helps Block Noise

Insulation also serves as a noise blocker. Therefore, if you live in a noisy neighborhood or big city, plenty of insulation can stop noise pollution from entering your home and making it hard to sleep, watch TV, etc. The insulation will also absorb some sound from inside the house, so if you have noisy kids or a barking dog, your neighbors won't have to listen to it.

If you live with other people, insulation can help keep sounds in different rooms too. Therefore, if you work at night and have to sleep during the day, you can use insulation to help block sound from a noisy living room or kitchen.

Insulation will help keep your home naturally cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer, but it can help reduce energy bills in other ways by preventing heat loss in pipes. Plus, insulation serves as a noise barrier. All in all, insulation is designed to make your home and life a little more comfortable. If you would like to know more about insulation, or if you need to request a quote for services, contact us at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., today.

4 Basic Insulation Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 14:48:00 GMT

Owning a home requires a lot of work, but in order to maintain your home properly, you should know some basic terms. With insulation, you may not think much about how it works or what types of insulation are available. If you would like to better protect your home from wasting energy, check out these four basic insulation terms you should know.

1. Heat Flow

Heat flow refers to the rate at which heat transfers from a heated environment to a colder one. For example, during the winter, your attic gets cold, but the rest of your home is toasty warm thanks to your HVAC system. However, heat naturally rises, and heat wants to create balance. For this reason, the heated air quickly leaks into your cold attic, causing you to lose warmth, so you have to use more energy to heat the home.

Similarly, during the summer, the hot air in the attic may get pushed back into your cooled home, especially if you have poor ventilation in the attic for the hot air to escape. For this reason, your attic needs plenty of insulation to block this heat flow as much as possible.

2. Apparent Thermal Resistivity

How well a type of insulation or material resists the transfer of heat is known as its apparent thermal resistivity or R-Value. The R-Value is usually measured in inches, so if a material has an R-Value of R-4 per inch, you can increase the R-Value by adding more. Many people use these R-Values to determine if they have enough insulation based on their climate.

Naturally, the hotter the climate, the less insulation you need, but regardless of where you live, your attic needs an R-Value of at least R-30 . Walls and floors require less insulation, and that amount doesn't change much from climate to climate.

3. Fiberglass

Some of the most common types of insulation are fiberglass. Go to any home improvement store, and you'll see huge batts of fiberglass insulation. The sheets of insulation are cut and installed directly between the two-by-fours inside walls and ceilings. This type of insulation also comes in loose fibers, which can be blown into finished walls and ceilings via small holes.

The nice thing about fiberglass insulation is that it is easy to buy and install. Also, if you realize you don't have enough insulation in your home, you can simply buy a few batts of fiberglass insulation and add it to your attic to boost that R-Value. You don't actually have to replace all the insulation. Because fiberglass is made with small glass fibers, it can cause irritation if it encounters direct skin (or if you inhale particles).

4. Spray Polyurethane Foam

Another popular insulation option is spray polyurethane foam, aka spray foam insulation. This type of insulation comes in closed-cell and open-cell, but both options are incredibly effective at blocking the transfer of heat. Closed-cell spray foam also serves as a moisture barrier to better protect against mold and mildew.

Spray foam insulation is not a DIY project, so you'll need skilled insulation technicians. When done correctly, however, the foam will expand to fill in every nook and cranny, better sealing your attic than other types of insulation. As an added benefit, spray foam insulation serves as an excellent sound barrier.

Regardless of which type of insulation you choose, it needs to have the right R-Value, especially for attic insulation. Insulation can help reduce your energy bills by better blocking the transfer of heat. If you would like to know more about insulation and how it can benefit all parts of your home, contact us at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc.

How Your Hospital Can Benefit From New Ductwork

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:41:34 GMT

Running a hospital comes with a lot of responsibility not the least of which is making sure the commercial HVAC system keeps running. The last thing you want during the winter is for your patients to suffer a chill due to the HVAC system going down or the heated air not circulating as well as it should.

One of the things that might be holding you back in this endeavor is your current ductwork, especially if the hospital has never replaced it. Here's why installing new ductwork might be beneficial for your hospital and your patients.

Ductwork Suffering From a Leak Could Be Driving Up Your Heating Bill

If your current ductwork no longer has proper insulation, some of the heated air that should be circulating throughout your building may instead be leaking out in one or more places. The more leaks your ductwork is suffering from, the less efficient your entire HVAC system is going to be.

Leave these leaks untreated or watch them worsen over time, and you'll soon see your heating bill begin to climb. New ductwork insulation could drastically reduce your HVAC bill if your current setup was starting to deteriorate.

Old Ductwork Might Have a Dust Problem

You should always remember to regularly clean your ductwork, but as your ductwork ages, some dust residue is likely to start building up. This means the heated air circulating throughout your building will become more and more unclean over time.

Hospitals already have enough viruses and colds to contend with. Someone is likely sneezing around the corner right this very second. Why make things even more difficult on your patients? Install new ductwork and you'll provide cleaner air for your patients to breathe as they attempt to recover.

Your doctors and nurses will benefit from the cleaner air as well, of course. That's important because the last thing your hospital needs is for a good chunk of the medical staff to get sick themselves.

Ductwork Can Get Louder Over Time

As ductwork ages, the entire setup can begin to sag or change in shape. As forced air blows through the ducts, this could begin to create unintentional noise. All heating systems make at least some noise while in operation of course, but properly aligned ductwork will keep this sound to a minimum.

If your ductwork is starting to fall apart, patients and your medical staff will begin to hear the heating system in operation more and more. This could eventually come quite distracting, especially when patients are trying to sleep or recover.

Ductwork Can Get in the Way As It Ages

If you haven't replaced your ductwork since the hospital opened, chances are it's much larger than it needs to be. Modern commercial HVAC technology now allows ductwork to be physically smaller than it has been in the past. If you are looking to do a remodel of an older part of your hospital, you might not be able to install the lights or other fixtures you want until you first downsize the ductwork.

If you run a hospital, you have a large number of responsibilities and it's understandable if you've put updating your ductwork on the back burner until now. But the sooner you call a local insulation and commercial HVAC company, the sooner your hospital and your patients will begin to benefit from a new ductwork insulation. New ductwork is more energy efficient while also being cleaner and quieter.

Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. has handled insulation and commercial HVAC issues like ductwork in facilities like yours for years. Contact us today to get an estimate

3 Overlooked Areas in Your Commercial Building That Need Insulation

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:52:32 GMT

Energy costs can have a major impact on your business, especially in larger office buildings. Although some of the cost is just a normal part of heating and cooling the building properly, a large portion may also result from energy loss due to insufficient insulation. Discover three areas that are sometimes overlooked when insulating a commercial building.

1. HVAC Insulation

The ducts through the walls and ceilings of your building are often the site of energy loss. Heat exchange can occur through the duct walls so that heat is lost before it goes to the areas where you want it. Gaps in the ducts can also lead to heat loss and higher energy costs.

Gap Repair

Gaps and damages in the duct system need fixing before applying insulation. First, the ducts need inspection, then any gaps will need sealing with heat-resistant HVAC tape or a mastic. If gaps exist in areas that aren't easily reachable for repairs, then inject a spray sealant into the duct system to coat and seal any holes and gaps.

Insulating

The right insulation for the duct is a must. Ductwork that carries cold air, for example, requires a vapor barrier on the exterior to guard against condensation. The insulation goes around the duct and then the seams are sealed with HVAC tape, thus reducing the heat loss from the ducts.

2. Pipe Insulation

Hot and cold water pipes can transfer temperature to the air space in the walls, which can then transfer to the rest of the building. Higher energy usage results when more energy is expended to ensure the water is still hot by the time it comes out of the tap.

Heater

If your building's water heater loses heat through its walls, then it has to run more often to keep the water inside at a stable temperature. Many commercial buildings have multiple hot water heaters, often one or more per floor. This many poorly insulated heaters can result in very high energy bills. Install a water heater blanket on each appliance to prevent any more unnecessary energy loss.

Pipes

The only pipes that usually require insulation are the water supply lines that run through exterior walls or unheated areas like crawl spaces. To solve the problem, wrap and tape pipe insulation into place around each of these pipes.

If winter freezes are a concern in your area, you may also need to install heat tape beneath the pipe insulation. This tape turns on to produce moderate heat when temperatures near the pipe reach a minimum threshold, thus preventing the water in the pipes from freezing and causing a rupture.

3. Compartment Insulation

Think of compartment insulation as insulating the interior around rooms where temperature fluctuations are normal. Areas that open to the outside are the most common culprit, but the drop ceilings common in many office buildings can also be a problem when they are below an unheated area.

Lobbies and Entries

The entrances into your building are a major conduit for energy loss. Double doors can help mitigate some of the energy loss, but increased insulation between the lobby around the entrance and the rest of the building is necessary to ensure the best energy efficiency in the area. Although lobby walls are interior walls, you may want to insulate them as though they are exterior walls.

Ceilings

Drop ceilings are often in a commercial building because they provide easy access to the pipes and electrical conduit that runs above them. This space isn't a problem on lower floors, but heat loss can occur on the top floor between the space and the roof above. Increase the insulation behind drop ceilings on top floors to solve the problem.

Why Your Business Needs Spray Foam Insulation

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 13:39:14 GMT

While homeowners often focus on the quality of the insulation in their homes, business owners often overlook this very same detail about their buildings. When the time comes to improve your building's insulation, you should consider spray foam insulation services. Here are a few reasons why spray foam is a great option for insulation improvement in your commercial building.

Spray Foam Is Easy to Install

The last thing you want to do is face a major renovation project while you are still open for business. Rolled insulation and foam core products both require extensive work to put them in place because you must physically secure them behind the wall. This could prove disruptive to your workplace and your customers.

Spray foam, on the other hand, installs easily and quickly. The spray nozzle makes it easy to fill harderto-access spaces, and the foam expands up to 100 times the initial volume, which fills gaps quickly and securely. That means minimal disruption of your work environment and a quick installation solution.

Spray Foam Minimizes Moisture Problems

Rolled fiberglass insulation is a magnet for moisture problems. Rolled insulation leaves all sorts of air gaps in the walls, and those air gaps allow for condensation and moisture accumulation. Over time, that moisture buildup soaks into the insulation because the porous nature encourages absorption.

Moisture buildup like this can lead to all sorts of problems in your building. Mold and mildew in the walls due to the moisture will eventually lead to poor air quality in your building. Employees and customers could end up sick, which is dangerous for your company's liability.

Spray foam insulation helps to minimize this risk. Since the foam expands so significantly, the foam will fill all of the air gaps and spaces where condensation could form otherwise. That solid space keeps moisture and condensation away because it has no space.

Not only does preventing moisture eliminate the risk of mold and mildew, but the lack of moisture also eliminates the potential for corrosion of metal structural components due to moisture and deterioration of wood beams.

Spray Foam Insulation Mitigates Noise Transfer

Especially for commercial buildings in industrial areas, noise seems to be a fact of daily operation. With the right insulation, you do not need to hear that noise. Even noise transfer within your building, such as from your manufacturing floor to your customer service area, can be controlled.

Insulation such as rolled fiberglass batting will not provide you with a sufficient noise barrier because of how porous and fibrous that fiberglass is. Without a solid structure, insulation cannot effectively block noise transfer.

Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, forms a solid barrier inside the walls. When the walls have adequate insulation with spray foam and the material has cured, that insulation provides you with a sound buffer that can keep your work environment more peaceful and effective. The sound barrier can also reduce the risk of noise complaints in a mixed-zoning environment.

Spray Foam Helps With Pest Control

Pest infestations in a commercial building can be a serious liability and safety issue. Many forms of insulation have soft fibers and paper content that serve as food sources and nesting material for many pests, which increases the chances of pest problems.

Spray foam insulation not only eliminates the nesting and food source of other insulation products, but also creates solid space in the walls. The solid space means less room for pests to gain access to your building.

As you can see, spray foam is an ideal insulation choice for commercial properties. Contact us at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., today for more information.

Which Type of Insulation Should You Choose?

Fri, 31 May 2019 13:05:05 GMT

Insulation is one of the best ways to help reduce your energy bills by keeping the home naturally cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Whether you are undergoing a new construction project or have a completed project that needs more insulation, you have many insulation options from which to choose. Check out these popular insulation materials to see which is right for your needs.

Fiberglass Batt

Fiberglass batt is one of the most common insulation materials, and it can be easily installed by just about anyone. The batts come in strips that perfectly fit between the two-by-fours in the walls and ceilings. Fiberglass batt is an affordable option at about $0.64 to $1.19 per square foot, according to Home Advisor, and you can usually install it yourself. Fiberglass batt has an R-Value of R-2.9 to R-3.8.

Fiberglass batt insulation is a good choice if you have a budget and if the walls, ceiling, or floor is unfinished - in other words, if no drywall is covering the studs yet. If the walls are finished, you'd need to fully destroy them again to add more insulation.

Rigid Foam Board

Rigid foam board is similar to fiberglass batt because it is solid, but it is more commonly used on exterior walls to help block heat or cold from outside. One advantage rigid foam board has over fiberglass batts is the R-Value , which is about R-3.6 to R-8.0. Therefore, you can use less rigid foam board to reach the desired R-Value. Rigid foam board is also good at blocking moisture, making it a great choice for your attic.

You should not attempt to install rigid foam board by yourself. Improper installation can make the insulation less effective, and because rigid foam board is a more expensive option, you don't want to have to pay for a redo.

Loose Fill

Loose fill insulation is often made from cellulose, which is basically crafted by recycling newspaper, although some loose fill comes in different materials. Whichever you choose, expect a less invasive installation process. Instead of solid batts or boards, loose fill is blown into the walls with a mechanical blower.

This installation method makes loose fill a great choice if you need to add insulation to finished walls. The contractor will need to make a small hole, but the entire wall doesn't need to be removed and replaced. Blown-in cellulose insulation usually has an R-Value of about R-3.1 to R-3.8, making it comparable to fiberglass batts. On average, adding loose fill insulation to a 1500 square-foot home may cost about $1,500 to $2,000 for professional installation, according to Home Advisor.

Spray Foam

Spray foam is perhaps one of the most desirable insulation materials because of its incredibly high RValue. Generally, polyurethane foam insulation has an R-Value of R-5.6 to R-8.0, so you'll need a lot less, which is good because spray foam can be expensive to install, and you need a qualified professional to install it correctly.

If installed correctly, your spray foam insulation acts as a barrier to both moisture and air. Depending on the type of spray foam you choose (closed cell or open cell), you get nearly total protection from outside moisture and air. Open cell spray foam is less durable, but it is usually cheaper to install.

Even with a great HVAC system, if your home's insulation is lacking, you're allowing heated air to leave or enter the house when you don't want it to. Instead of watching your energy bills rise, consider adding some insulation. With so many types from which to choose, you can find the perfect solution to your needs. For more information about insulation, contact us today at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc.

3 Tips For Boosting Your Home's Natural Insulating Properties

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 12:34:31 GMT

While your furnace and air conditioner may really help to keep your home warm or cool, without good insulation, you're only wasting energy and money. Heat loss and heat gain are common if you don't have a well-insulated home. If you are sick of wasting money on your energy bills each month, check out these three tips for boosting your home's natural insulating properties.

1. Add Insulation Where Needed

All building materials have some insulating properties, which are measured in R-value. For extra insulation, however, types of insulation (fiberglass, spray foam, etc.) are added inside walls, ceilings, floors, the attic and other places to help boost insulation. In many cases, the home simply doesn't have enough extra insulation.

The best way to check this is in an unfinished attic because you can see the exposed insulation. The exact amount of insulation you'll need depends on the type, but in most cases, if you can see the rafters in the attic, you don't have enough insulation. You can add more to your unfinished attic, but if you need more in finished rooms, it may be best to get a professional to prevent unnecessary damage.

Last, don't forget to add insulation to the ducts that transport the heated or cooled air. Without insulation, warm air can leak into or out of the ducts, making it less effective when it reaches you. Duct insulation prevents this, so you don't have to waste more energy and money to reach a comfortable temperature.

2. Seal Holes and Gaps on Exterior Walls

Even if you have plenty of insulation, however, it won't do much good if you have holes in the exterior walls of your home. Small holes around windows and doors are notorious for letting small amounts of air to pass, which can impact the seal of your home, reducing its natural insulating properties. One simple way to fix these small holes is by removing old, damaged caulk and replacing it with fresh caulk.

Aerosol spray foam is another great way to fix small holes, especially around pipes, cords and vents that pass directly through the exterior wall. Aerosol spray foam is great because even if you don't add enough, the material will expand as it dries to fully seal the hole.

Bigger damage may require attention from a professional. For example, if you have vinyl siding, it can become cracked if hit with something hard. This impacts your home's insulation, and you may need to hire a professional contractor to replace the damaged siding.

3. Choose Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows

Windows are an essential part of your home, and they let in natural light. However, they can also drastically reduce your home's energy-efficiency if they are old or damaged. Newer, energy-efficient windows have features that help stop the transfer of heat, such as double panes, insulating gasses, etc. To get the best benefit, however, you'll want to replace all your windows.

Doors can also become a problem as they get old. Wear and tear may prevent doors from sitting properly. Therefore, the door can't fully seal, which allows heat to pass through freely. Solid wood doors and metal doors with insulation inside are some of the best for boosting insulation.

When inspecting your doors, don't forget about the garage door. Even if you don't heat or cool your garage, a faulty garage door can cause your home to lose or gain heat when you don't want to. Again, you can choose solid wood or metal with insulation inside.

Keeping your home well-insulated is one of the best ways to conserve energy and save money. While you may need to replace windows and doors, in many cases, simply adding insulation can help. If you would like more information about insulation, contact us at Guy M. Beaty Co. Inc. today.

Use Fiberglass Insulation to Soundproof a City Home

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:14:35 GMT

Many people who move to a big city for the first time are not prepared for the high volume of noise they are likely to experience even in the comfort of their home. Thankfully, fiberglass insulation provides an effective soundproofing barrier that will minimize noise pollution and avoid the nasty side effects of persistent and loud noise.

Sound Pollution Can Be Difficult to Handle

Living in a big city provides individuals with exposure to a more extensive range of career and entertainment opportunities. However, a large amount of noise pollution typically bombards homes in a city every day. Though the levels of sound pollution may vary, a home in the heart of a bustling metropolis like Chicago or New York may experience dangerously high levels of noise.

For example, cars may zoom by a house at any time of the day or night and distract a person while they sleep. Even worse, construction and traffic noises may bombard an individual when they want to relax at home after a long, busy day at work.

All of that sound pollution will grate on a person's nerves and can cause serious issues that can be hard on a person. For example, sound pollution can cause severe anxiety, depression, and even personal agitation that makes living happily hard for a person to do. Thankfully, individuals in a large city can take important steps to avoid this issue.

Insulation Can Soundproof a Home

When moving into a new home in a large city, individuals should inspect their home to find what kind of insulation is in their new house. Several types of installation offer great soundproofing protection when correctly installed. For example, cellulose and foam installation can block out a large amount of sound and keep a city home safe from excessive noise.

And while these types of insulation do make an excellent choice for many homes, fiberglass insulation is probably the best all-around choice for those who want an escape from excessive noise pollution. Understanding the many benefits of fiberglass installation will make picking the right kind for their home easier for new homeowners.

Fiberglass Provides an Excellent Balance

Fiberglass insulation absorbs sound coming in from outside of a home. As fiberglass is built from dense and thick particles of fiber and glass, this muffles sound waves as they travel through insulated walls and will disperse through the threads of the insulation, minimizing the noise inside of a home.

Typically, experts state that fiberglass is good at reducing the sound in a home by up to five decibels. That kind of sound decrease provides a huge benefit for people who are sick of hearing car horns in the middle of the night. In addition, if individuals install fiberglass insulation at three-feet thicknesses, they may block all sound from entering a home.

Fiberglass Insulation Is Also Cost-Effective

While spray foam and blown-in insulation may provide soundproofing benefits that are slightly better than fiberglass insulation, both types cost more than fiberglass. For example, closed-cell spray foam typically cost up to $2.00 per board feet while blow-in insulation costs about $1.50 per board foot. By comparison, fiberglass often costs no more than $1.19 per square foot for an entire home.

That kind of saving is excellent for individuals moving to a big city, as this will make settling down without investing an excessive amount of money easier for them. For anybody interested in fiberglass insulation for soundproofing their big-city home, contact Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., right now to learn more about the process. We are happy to answer your questions and concerns about fiberglass insulation.

How to Use Insulation in Your Restaurant

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 11:58:41 GMT

Insulation can be used in just about any commercial building and can provide a lot of benefits. In a restaurant, insulation can be even more useful. These are just some of the ways that having insulation installed in your restaurant can be beneficial.

Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs

One primary reason why many people install insulation in their homes, commercial buildings, and other properties is so that they can save on their heating and cooling bills. Having insulation installed in exterior walls, the flooring, and the ceiling can all help keep your building sealed against hot and cold weather.

Since your restaurant probably comes with a lot of operating costs already, reducing your utilities can make a big difference in your budget and your profits. Making the initial investment in insulation now can save you a significant amount of money throughout the year in heating and cooling costs.

Maintain a Quiet Dining Environment

You probably want your guests to be able to enjoy themselves when they dine in your restaurant. If there are a lot of sounds coming from the outside, such as traffic noises, then this can impact patrons' experiences. You might even be worried about noises leaking from your kitchen into the dining area since your guests might be able to hear the banging of pots and pans and other kitchen noises.

Installing insulation can help with maintaining a quieter dining environment. Putting ample insulation in the exterior walls will help with blocking out some of the noise from the outside. You can even have insulation installed in the interior walls in between your kitchen and dining area to help block out kitchen noise so that your customers can enjoy a quiet experience.

Keep Refrigeration Systems Cold

Coolers and freezers are very important in just about any restaurant. After all, you have to have a place to store food at safe temperatures. Even though it might seem like your refrigeration systems are already doing a good job, they could be improved with the help of insulation.

Installing insulation around your refrigeration systems will help them stay nice and cold. This helps you make sure that your food stays at a cold, safe temperature. In fact, insulation can even help with maintaining food at colder temperatures for short periods of time if you have a power failure or issue with your refrigeration systems.

Of course, you should make sure that temperatures do not drop below the safe zone for too long when dealing with an outage, even if you have insulation in place. However, the insulation might help you save your food in this type of scenario.

Insulation will also help your restaurant's refrigeration systems operate more efficiently. Since your refrigeration systems will not have to work as hard if they are properly insulated, this can save you in energy costs.

Focus on Pest Control

No business owner wants to deal with unwanted pests in the building. When you operate a restaurant, though, pest control is even more important.

Pests like insects and rodents are more likely to be attracted to a restaurant where food is stored, so you might have to fight harder against various pests. Plus, since sanitation is of the utmost importance in your restaurant kitchen, keeping pests at bay is something that you probably take very seriously.

Along with working with a pest control company, installing certain types of insulation-like spray foam insulation-can help prevent pests from accessing your restaurant and making themselves at home.

Ample insulation is important in any restaurant. Contact us at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc., to find out more about our services and how insulation can benefit your business.

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Does Your Business Need New Insulation?

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 11:52:01 GMT

Insulation is an important part of any business, but it is especially important in businesses in which proper heat and temperature maintenance are necessary for daily operations.

If your business already has insulation, you might think that you have nothing to worry about on this front. However, keep in mind that, over time, insulation can become less effective. It can also develop certain issues that require immediate attention.

Fortunately, by making yourself aware of the warning signs of faulty insulation, you can have your insulation repaired or replaced before serious problems have a chance to develop. This will save you time, money, and hassle, which is why you need to educate yourself on the warning signs.

The Presence of Mold

Mold is a serious problem that affects homes, businesses, and all kinds of structures. It can occur in all kinds of places and for all kinds of reasons. Unfortunately, insulation is often one of the areas that it targets.

Mold can develop when the roof has leaks or the walls of a business allow moisture in. As the moisture settles into the insulation, mold grows. This is a problem for multiple reasons. For one thing, mold can give off an unpleasant odor, which is often one of the first indicators of its presence. Even more importantly, mold is dangerous and can affect air quality and breathing.

If mold is present in old insulation, the first thing you need to do is to fix the root of the issue before installing new insulation. Otherwise, the problem will just pop up again. A good commercial insulation company will be adept at figuring out what led to the mold growth and preventing it from happening in the future.

Animals that Have Taken Up Residence

Sometimes small animals, such as squirrels and rats, will make their home inside of insulation. All they need to do is find a way in, and they then have the perfect nesting material in the insulation.

While this might not seem like a huge deal, these animals can cause major damage by chewing the insulation, burrowing in it, and - if left alone for too long - maybe even reproducing, compounding the problem.

Insulation affected by animals will get so bad after a while that it won't be able to retain heat the way it should. When that happens, you'll need to replace the insulation. You'll also need to figure out how the critters got in and fix that issue to keep the problem from reoccurring.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Insulation is a necessary component of your business. However, you can have too much of a good thing.

If your original installers put in too much insulation, it can restrict airflow. It can also contribute to mold growth. Plus, too much insulation is more likely to cause allergies, breathing difficulties, and other health concerns than the proper amount of insulation.

If you have insulation everywhere you turn, are experiencing ventilation issues, or have a lot of people complaining about breathing issues or allergies, have a professional take a look. If you have too much insulation, don't worry. Removing some insulation is an easy fix for qualified professionals.

Fortunately, you can often easily tell when you've got an issue with your insulation. If you think that you have a problem, the first step is to contact someone who is qualified to help. To find that someone, contact the insulation experts at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. We can set you on the right path as we ensure that your next insulation installation is well done. Call today to learn more.

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Questions to Ask When Hiring a Company for Commercial or Industrial Insulation

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 11:44:07 GMT

Learn a few of the questions you should make sure to ask as you consider a company to insulate your commercial or industrial space.

When hiring a company to insulate your commercial or industrial space, you might have many questions you need to ask the company or contractor. Common questions often include if the company is licensed, insured, and the cost of their services. However, additional questions may arise that you might not have initially thought of.

Here are a few of the questions you should make sure to ask as you consider a company to insulate your commercial or industrial space.

What Products Do You Plan to Use to Insulate This Space?

Professionals can insulate your commercial and industrial space with different products. They can install ductwork insulation, pipe insulation, rigid board insulation, spray foam insulation, thermal barrier blanket systems, batt, and RetroShield. As you look to hire an insulation contractor, ask what products they plan to use to insulate your space.

Every type of insulation has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, as well as their own installation and material costs. Asking what products a contractor plans to use helps you find a contractor who uses products that are most beneficial to your business while still fitting within your budget.

Do You Submit a Bid Bond With the Bid or Estimate?

When you want companies to insulate your space, the first step is always to get estimates from different companies. But some companies underestimate and then go way over budget.

Make sure to ask about a bid bond. A bid bond is a bond that protects you if your contractor tries to increase the cost of the project or cannot complete the project as laid out in the contract. The bid bond covers increased costs or any costs that you incur if you need to hire another contractor to finish work as laid out in the contract.

What Types of Communication Do You Use?

Different contractors and construction companies have different communication styles.

For example, when you want to install insulation, you need to know what area work will begin on and when so you can keep employees out of the area. Some contractors will verbally give you a heads up when work is going to begin, some may email you, and others may simply lay out the details in the contract and only tell you if they have changes later on.

You have no wrong or right way to communicate. You may prefer someone who communicates constantly with you, helping you to stay abreast of the project. Someone else may prefer minimal communication. Find a contractor or company who seems to have a communication style that meshes well with yours.

What Do Your References Have to Say About You?

Lastly, be sure to ask the company or contractor what their references have to say about them. When possible, speak to their references as well. Try to talk to references who have utilized the same type of insulation your job uses in a similar setting as yours. This will give you an idea as to how well the company installed the insulation and how well the insulation has held up in this setting.

Also be sure to ask if the contractors were on time, if they were pleasant to work around, if the project had any delays, if the project had problems and how the problems were dealt with, and if the previous project reference would work with the company or contractor again.

When you need to insulate your commercial or industrial space in the Travelers Rest or Greenville County area, turn to Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. We can help you determine the best types of insulation for your space and then properly install it, helping to increase energy efficiency in the building and extend the life of your pipes and ductwork. Give us a call today to discuss your needs.

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4 Things That Set Process Piping Insulation Apart

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:17:38 GMT

Many facility owners and manufacturers are well acquainted with the insulation necessary for their heating equipment and plumbing but are unaware of how to protect their process piping. Process piping refers to any kind of pressurized pipes used to move and contain liquids and semi-solids used for manufacturing. Since this kind of pipe is so essential for manufacturing everything from plastics to food, it deserves the right kind of insulation.

Understanding the unique needs of process piping allows you to choose the right material and installation style for insulation. Consider these four factors when planning to insulate your manufacturing or processing facility.

1.Hot and Cold Surfaces

Process piping in particular is likely to include clustered or parallel arrangements of both hot and cold pipes. When these temperature differences contact each other, condensation forms to rust and corrode both sets of piping. Insulation is the best way to protect both the hot and cold piping from exchanging heat and affecting the efficiency of the system.

The right insulation also cuts your total energy costs spent on chilling cold materials and warming hot liquids. By reducing heat loss or gain as materials travel through the process piping, you'll save money and quickly earn back whatever you spend to insulate your process piping.

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2.Corrosion and Condensation Prevention

Process piping also tends to create more condensation that other types of pipes because they're often located in a room with a stark temperature difference to the pipe or a steady source of steam. Since you don't want dripping water to contaminate what you're working on below the piping, insulation that prevents condensation in the first place is the best idea.

The often-corrosive contents carried in process piping also increase the likelihood of corrosion damage from the inside out. The right kind of pipe insulation can trap leaks so they're noticeable before they can drip on the equipment and materials below the piping. Anti-corrosion insulation materials also prevent outer corrosion from shortening the lifespan of the piping.

3.Proximity to Employees

Insulation on process piping is often designed for the safety of the employees rather than just for energy savings, as you might find with heating or plumbing insulation. Since many pipes used for active processing and manufacturing are extremely hot or operating under very high pressure, an employee that brushes against a ground-level process pipe could suffer a serious burn or set off a dangerous reaction.

Process pipes also tend to run extensively through a facility at many different heights, making it somewhat difficult to avoid them in busy environments. Heat-proof and protective insulation materials protect both your employees and the process piping you rely on.

4.Ease of Repair

Finally, process piping tends to come with very specific maintenance and inspection intervals. Unlike basic plumbing, process piping is also often disassembled regularly for corrosion inspection or cleaning. This means that the insulation you choose for most process piping should be easy to remove and replace rather than a spray-on or wrap product that must be cut away and completely replaced.

Of course, your choice depends entirely on your specific maintenance requirements for the piping in your facility. If you rarely need to disassemble or replace specific sections and fittings, you'll likely want a more permanent insulation product. Just make sure any long-lasting insulation products are capable of being cleaned so dust accumulation on the exterior doesn't create a sanitation or fire hazard.

Improve your process piping with insulation customized to your specific needs and plans. Call us today here at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. for help with all of your facility's insulation needs, including full process piping insulation services.

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Noise Control: 5 Common Workplace Noise Problems and Solutions

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:45:49 GMT

Sound can be a blessing or a nuisance. It is essential for the enjoyment of life, but constant exposure to unwanted noise can lower your quality of life. In workplaces, noise can diminish productivity and affect employees' overall wellbeing.

Most noise problems are readily solvable, while others may require the expertise of a noise remediation contractor. Here are some of the most common workplace noise problems and ways to solve them.

1. Echoing Spaces

A room with an echo sound is as a reverberant space. Reverberation is typically a problem in conference rooms, classrooms, houses of worship, and gymnasiums. Echoes interfere with speech intelligibility and can make it difficult for the people in a room to have meaningful conversations.

To minimize noise in reverberant spaces, install absorptive and diffusive material to the room. Go for lightweight absorptive materials such as melamine foam or fiberglass, which are effective in preventing sound waves from bouncing off of walls and ceilings.

For diffusive materials, choose wood or molded fiberglass. These come in different shapes and help to break and scatter sound around the room to improve sound intelligibility.

2. HVAC Sounds

HVAC noise can be problematic in offices, conference rooms, and classrooms. Mechanical issues with motors, fans, and noise transference through ductwork are the leading causes of HVAC noise.

To minimize HVAC sounds, install silencers around existing ductwork and use lagging material to fold the outer part of ducts to eliminate or reduce noise coming from duct walls. Also, regular dropped ceilings are unable to prevent noise transference through the building's ductwork. So consider replacing regular ceilings with ceiling tiles that come with an intrinsic acoustic barrier.

3. Footfall

Footfall noise is heard through hard floor surfaces when someone walks, drops a heavy object, or drags something across the room. To eliminate footfall noise, fit a rubber underlayment with acoustic properties between the floor surface and the subfloor. Ensure that the underlayment has the right strength and mass.

To eliminate footfall noise in a building where you have already installed flooring, you would need to access the ceiling underneath the floor. Add a layer of heavy-duty vinyl to add mass to the ceiling and separate the space in between with furring channel and sound control pins. Complete the process with two layers of drywall to separate the ceiling from the floor above.

4. Noisy Equipment

The combination of sounds from industrial machinery can easily exceed safe sound levels and pose an occupational hazard to workers. Reverberant spaces exacerbate noise problems in industrial workplaces. Common causes of noise in such settings include vibration from equipment, noisy venting, equipment installed next to concrete walls, and maintenance problems.

Factor in the entire workplace when trying to eliminate noise from machinery because every structural element of the building potentially contributes to the noise level. Seek a concerted approach to reduce noise coming from equipment and other sources such as the HVAC.

Place the loudest machine away from the main work floor if possible. Install HVAC silencers, vibrator isolators, divider walls, and acoustic casings around noisy machinery, and wrap ducts with lagging material.

5. Noise Through the Ceiling and Walls

Noise leaking into the office space can dampen productivity. Use acoustic blankets or acoustic fabric or foam-wrapped panels to prevent sound waves from deflecting off of hard surfaces. Ask your insulation contractor about products that can minimize structural transference of sound.

Consider adding mass to ceilings and walls to prevent noises from leaking through. You can also use sound masking to reduce white noise in reverberant spaces.

Workplaces bear the brunt of a world that is getting noisier by the day. Noise control can help to create a more peaceful and accommodating environment that prioritizes employees' wellbeing.

At Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. , we can help quiet your world. Call us today to discuss your situation and find out about our innovative noise remediation solutions.

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4 Areas to Consider During an Insulation Budgeting Consultation

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:45:23 GMT

An increasing number of businesses are trying to utilize old buildings rather than go with a new construction. One of the more common buildings to use are former educational buildings. If you are considering purchasing this type of building, one of your first upgrades will likely be the insulation.

Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. offers various services dealing with insulation installation. Before you request services, you may want to take the first step of an insulation-related budgeting consultation. Here are four areas that should be considered during this consultation.

1. Type of Insulation

The misconception for many people is that traditional fiberglass insulation is the only type available. The truth is, developers have made several types of insulation. These new types of insulation have been developed to give green options to businesses. The green options can help businesses who are trying to gain a standing as a green business.

For this reason, you may want to consider these types of insulation and their cost. Some of your options are denim insulation, foam insulation, and concrete block. During your budgeting consultation, you can find out which option is best for your needs and the pricing for that option. If this does not fit into your budget, you can then discuss alternatives.

2. Ductwork Upgrades

If you are buying an older building, the ductwork may appear to be up-to-code. However, you may find that it is not as ideal as it appears. You might discover hidden issues or damage, or there may be problems with the material used for the ductwork. All of these areas are contributing factors to what legally must be upgraded to meet local building codes and how upgrading will affect your budget.

During a consultation, the ductwork itself can be tested for several issues, most importantly durability and integrity. Testers can look for holes, rust areas, or poorly constructed repairs. Air quality will also be checked. Mold, excessive odors, and poor air flow can all contribute to the air quality, and the presence of any of them is a sign that you need to upgrade the ductwork as part of the insulation installation.

3. Acoustic Levels and Noise Reduction

In some cases, part of the insulation consultation will need to cover the current insulation in place. For example, you may have areas of the building that have older insulation that is no longer suitable for the building. This insulation will need to be removed. The removal of old insulation does require certain steps, and it can be a larger project if there are toxic insulation areas in place.

If asbestos could have contaminated any part of the insulation, it will need to be removed in a specific way that will cost more than traditional removal. With that in mind, you will need to pay attention to this area during the consultation for budgeting.

Once your consultation is completed, one of our representatives at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. can help you with estimates and options to stay within your budget. We can also advise you on issues that you may be facing with insulation and ductwork. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, call us today.

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3 Reasons to Invest in Ductwork Insulation

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 14:45:24 GMT

You need to properly heat and cool your commercial or industrial space so that you can maintain the comfort of your building. While most business owners know that their building envelope needs to be properly insulated, few take the time to consider how insulation in other areas can also be beneficial.

One of the most important areas that you can install insulation is around your building's ductwork. Insulation around your air ducts can help you improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and help you reduce overhead spending by keeping operating costs low.

Here are three reasons why you should opt to add insulation to your building's ductwork in the near future.

1. Reduced Energy Costs

Many business have challenges in finding ways to stay profitable in today's competitive marketplace. When you make the choice to add insulation to your building's air ducts, you can increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. Insulation helps the air being transported from your furnace or air conditioner to various parts of your building to remain a constant temperature.

Air will not become hotter or start to cool down while traveling through your air ducts when you insulate your ductwork. This means that the air delivered throughout your building will help to keep rooms a more comfortable temperature without increasing the running time of your heating and cooling appliances.

Reduced run times mean a reduction in the amount of energy consumed, allowing you to keep your monthly utility costs as low as possible.

2. Reduced Leakage

One of the primary factors that can contribute to the ineffectiveness of your building's HVAC system is leaks within your air ducts. Leaks allow heated or cooled air to escape from your air ducts during transit, meaning that this heated or cooled air cannot arrive at its final destination to help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your building.

When your air ducts are leaking, your heating and cooling systems will have to work harder to keep temperatures constant. Insulated ductwork can help you prevent air leaks from plaguing your ducts in the future.

The insulation will shield your ducts from environmental factors that could cause damage, allowing them to remain structurally sound so that heated or cooled air can be delivered throughout your building efficiently.

3. Reduced Condensation

You probably keep maintaining proper air quality within your building a top priority. When the quality of your air building's air is compromised, employees and customers could be plagued by respiratory illnesses.

Condensation within your air ducts forms when cooled air passes through warmer sections of your building and when warm air travels through areas where the temperature surrounding your ducts is cool. This condensation can lead to the formation of mold, which compromises the quality of your building's indoor air.

The choice to add insulation to your air ducts will help you to buffer the heated or cooled air traveling through your ductwork from exterior temperatures. This will help to reduce the creation of condensation and mold that might cause problems in your air ducts in the future.

Making sure that your building is properly insulated is critical when it comes to improving the performance of your commercial or industrial space. Insulation for your ductwork can help you reduce excess energy consumption, eliminate air leaks, and reduce condensation levels to prevent mold from compromising your indoor air quality.

Don’t wait any longer to take advantage of insulation for your ductwork. Consult with the professionals at Guy M. Beaty Co., Inc. to identify any additional benefits you will enjoy when you add insulation to your building's HVAC system.

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4 Reasons to Install Plumbing Insulation

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 14:45:24 GMT

Insulation has many uses both for commercial facilities and for residential buildings, and protecting your pipes is one of these uses. Many people don't realize how helpful pipe insulation can be, and yet it actually offers a whole spectrum of benefits for both hot-water and cold-water pipes. Here are four reasons to consider installing plumbing insulation on the pipes in your home.

1. Reduce Drips From Condensation

Nobody wants a leaky roof, and a dripping ceiling is just as bad. If your pipes are running along the basement ceiling, the difference in temperature between the cold-water pipes and the surrounding air can cause condensation to drip down on whatever you keep in your basement.

Plumbing insulation can help prevent this by reducing the sharp contrast in temperature. The insulation holds the cold-water pipe's coolness in, so it doesn't come into contact with the warmer air and pull the moisture out of it. And because the outside of the insulation isn't as cold as the pipe's surface (the temperature changes gradually throughout the layer of insulation), you're less likely to get water condensing on the surface of the insulation itself.

2. Prevent Freezing and Bursting in Winter

Any pipes that could be exposed to freezing temperatures during a cold snap in wintertime should be insulated so you won't have messy leaks, expensive repairs and extensive water damage to deal with.

Don't just consider whether the pipes could freeze during a normal year, though; if the winter temperatures have been about average for the past few winters, you could be due for a record-breaking (or nearly record-breaking) cold snap this winter. When it comes to protecting your plumbing, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

3. Comply With Building Codes

Many local governments across America now use the International Energy Conservation Code, which requires plumbing insulation in certain instances. For example, although insulation may not be required on all pipes in your home, you may be required to insulate the pipe between your water heater and your kitchen faucet if this code is used in your area.

If your current system doesn't have the insulation required by applicable codes, that doesn't mean your home isn't legal. However, it does mean that if you're planning on a renovation or remodel you'll need to factor in some upgrades, such as getting your pipes insulated.

4. Solve a Heat-Loss Problem

If you have an old plumbing system, lots of hot-water pipes going through an unheated basement, or just a really enormous house, you could lose quite a bit of heat from your pipes between the water heater and the faucet. This is especially true if you have metal pipes since metal conducts thermal energy very efficiently, meaning it can lose heat from your pipes very fast.

Insulation will help reduce this heat loss by holding the heat around the pipes, making it harder for the metal to transfer that energy out into the unheated basement. Thus, insulated pipes can help you avoid wasting money by putting heat into your water that's just going to escape into your unheated basement instead of being useful.

As you can see, having your pipes fitted with insulation comes with many benefits. Not only can plumbing insulation help improve your overall living situation but if you're doing a renovation, you may be required by building codes to have some insulation installed.

If you're looking for just enough pipe insulation to bring your home up to code or if you're looking for all the benefits that insulated hot- and cold-water pipes can bring you, contact us today for a free estimate!

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Insulation Options for Your Commercial Building

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Spray Foam Is Easy to Install

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Which Type of Insulation Should You Choose?

Fiberglass Batt

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Spray Foam

3 Tips For Boosting Your Home's Natural Insulating Properties

1. Add Insulation Where Needed

2. Seal Holes and Gaps on Exterior Walls

3. Choose Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows

Use Fiberglass Insulation to Soundproof a City Home

Sound Pollution Can Be Difficult to Handle

Insulation Can Soundproof a Home

Fiberglass Provides an Excellent Balance

Fiberglass Insulation Is Also Cost-Effective

How to Use Insulation in Your Restaurant

Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs

Maintain a Quiet Dining Environment

Keep Refrigeration Systems Cold

Focus on Pest Control

Does Your Business Need New Insulation?

The Presence of Mold

Animals that Have Taken Up Residence

Too Much of a Good Thing

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Company for Commercial or Industrial Insulation

What Products Do You Plan to Use to Insulate This Space? ﻿

Do You Submit a Bid Bond With the Bid or Estimate? ﻿

What Types of Communication Do You Use?

What Do Your References Have to Say About You?

4 Things That Set Process Piping Insulation Apart

Noise Control: 5 Common Workplace Noise Problems and Solutions

1. Echoing Spaces

2. HVAC Sounds

3. Footfall

4. Noisy Equipment

5. Noise Through the Ceiling and Walls

4 Areas to Consider During an Insulation Budgeting Consultation

1. Type of Insulation

2. Ductwork Upgrades

3. Acoustic Levels and Noise Reduction

3 Reasons to Invest in Ductwork Insulation

1. Reduced Energy Costs

2. Reduced Leakage

3. Reduced Condensation

4 Reasons to Install Plumbing Insulation

What Products Do You Plan to Use to Insulate This Space?

Do You Submit a Bid Bond With the Bid or Estimate?