Insultation

Q: How do I know if I need more attic insulation?

A: If you are experiencing cold rooms, inconsistent temperature, your HVAC system seeming to run longer, or high energy bills.

Over the years blown in insulation can settle and become less effective. If your level is less than 10 to 12 inches of is you can see the top of your ceiling joists it is time to get an inspection.

Q: Are there incentives for me to get my insulation up to standards?

A: Yes, TVA offers a free energy audit for your whole home and rebates for brining your insulation levels up to standards.

Q: What is the recommended amount of insulation for Tennessee?

A: TVA EnergyRight guidelines advise you should have an R value between R-38 and R-60 for optimal performance, which would be between 11" and 14" in thickness.

Q: Can I just add insulation myself?

A: Yes, adding insulation can help, but it's important to note that simply adding it on its own can sometimes cause other issues. Plus, you wouldn't be eligible for the TVA EnergyRight rebates in that case.

Air Sealing

Q: What is air sealing?

A: Air sealing is the process of sealing top plates, gaps, cracks, holes, and other openings in your home's "envelope" to prevent uncontrolled air leakage between the inside and outside.

Q: Why is air sealing important?

A: Air sealing directly addresses uncontrolled air leakage through cracks, gaps, and penetrations in a home's envelope. On average it account for 15% of homes heating and cooling costs.

Q: How does air sealing benefit my home?

A: Properly done air sealing improves air quality by reducing uncontrolled infiltration of pollutants. It helps control moisture movement when combined with good ventilation to make the home more comfortable.

Q: Is air sealing worth the inventment?

A: Yes, your investment in air sealing is typically recouped in 1 to 5 years.

• Air leaks can account for 10–40% of a home’s heating and cooling energy loss.
• Typical savings: 10–20%+ on energy bills
• Reduces infiltration of outdoor pollutants, pollen, dust, and allergens.
• Rebates are typically available through TVA EnergyRight program.

Q: I can only do insulation or air sealing now, which is more important?

A: Both air sealing and insulation are important, but air sealing will almost always give your the biggest return on your investment.

Duct Sealing

Q: What is duct sealing?

A: Duct Selaing is the process of closing leaks, gaps and leaky sems in your homes HVAC duct system.

Q: Why is duct sealing important?

A: Leaky duct systems can waste 20-30% of the heated or cooled air produced by your HVAC system.

Q: Will duct sealing save me money on my energy bills?

A: Sealing ducts improves system efficiency (often saving 10-20% on heating/cooling costs), enhances comfort, reduces strain on your HVAC equipment, and can pay for itself through energy savings.

IAQ Indoor air quality

Q: What is indoor air quality?

A: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to how clean, fresh, and comfortable the air is inside your home. Poor IAQ can cause allergies, headaches, fatigue, asthma flare-ups, and other health issues.

Q: What are the signs of poor indoor air quality?

A: Several indicators are: musty or stale odor, excessive dust on furniture, condensation or moisture on windows or walls and possible mold/mildew growth.

Q: What can I do to improve my indoor air quality?

A: Regular maintenance can help alleviate some of the issue with your indoor air quality, but we also recommend looking into an air purification system, media cabinet and a whole house dehumidifier/humidifier.

Q: How does air purification system help?

A: An air purification system actively works to capture and remove contaminants that your standard HVAC filter will miss.

Q: What is a media cabinet and how will it help my indoor air quality?

A: A media cabinet is a large air filter housing designed to hold a thicker high-capacity filter(typically 4 to 5 inches in thickness). The increased surface area and depth allow the filter to capture significantly more dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other particulates without compromising the systems air flow.

Q: Why would I need a humidifier/dehumidifier for my home?

A: Your HVAC system by itself often cannot maintain your indoor humidity levels at their optimum levels (typically 30-50%).

Signs You May Need a Humidifier (Winter)

• Dry skin and chapped lips

• Static electricity

• Cracking wood floors and furniture

Signs You May Need a Dehumidifier (Summer)

• Musty odors

• Sticky or muggy feeling air

• Condensation on windows and doors

• Poor AC performance