FAQs
Why hire HEC Technologies?
HEC brings technical expertise to the table that is not common in our industry. The owner, Rick Ariagno has engineering background, an undergraduate degree in Physics and a graduate degree in Industrial Technology. He has added to that background by attending countless training programs and seminars on building science. He has shared this training with his employees making each of them an extension of his dedication to excellence. Our best customer is an informed, educated consumer. We work directly with owners, architects, acoustical consultants and general contractors. We can be a valuable team player when working with other knowledgeable professionals. We can also take on a leadership role when working with other professionals who have not yet obtained training on energy efficient construction and building green.
Where are the biggest air leaks in my home?
Many air leaks are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows, doors, and through electrical outlets. But hidden air leaks in attics, basements, and around chimneys are often more significant sources of energy loss. Consider addressing these big leaks first because they will have a greater impact on improving your comfort and reducing your utility bills.
Can I over-seal my house or make it too tight?
While it is possible to seal a house too tightly, it is very unlikely in most older homes. A certain amount of fresh air is needed for good indoor air quality and there are specifications that set the minimum amount of fresh air needed for a house. If you are concerned about how tight your home is, hire an energy specialist to perform leakage tests using diagnostic tools and make sure all combustion appliances are operating properly. If your home is too tight, the energy specialist may recommend that a fresh air ventilation system be added to your HVAC system.
Are Federal Tax Credits available for Energy Improvements?
Yes, in 2008 government regulations was passed extending tax credits for energy improvements.
Read more about federal tax credits for energy improvements.
Can I add new insulation on top of old insulation?
Yes, you can add the new insulation on top of old insulation, unless it is wet. If it is wet or appears that the insulation has previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem to prevent a reoccurrence. Remove any wet insulation. Wet insulation can lead to mold, mildew, or even the rotting of your ceiling or roof rafters.
- Do not place "faced" insulation on top of existing insulation in the attic. Any new batt or roll insulation added on top of existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder (face). Most vapor retarders on fiberglass are made of kraft paper. The presence of this paper vapor retarder on top of between layers of insulation can trap moisture leading to mold or even rotting. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.
- Alternatively, you can also hire HEC Technologies to blow loose fill insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) in your attic. The process only takes a couple of hours.
Why Insulate Your House?
Heating and cooling account for 50% to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.
Insulation:
- saves money and our nation's limited energy resources;
- makes your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house;
- makes walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
The amount of energy you conserve will depend on several factors: your local climate; the size, shape, and construction of your house; the living habits of your family; the type and efficiency of the heating and cooling systems; and the fuel you use. Once the energy savings have paid for the installation cost, energy conserved is money saved - and saving energy will be even more important as utility rates go up.
Why is Cellulose Insulation Better Insulation?
There are several key reasons cellulose insulation is a superior product for buildings: higher R-per-inch values than most comparable mineral fiber materials, reduces air-leakage, not as subject to convective heat loss, lower cost relative to competing products of similar thermal efficiency, fire safe, made from more than 75% recycled material, environmentally friendly, approved by all major code bodies, and well tested and field proven.
Is Cellulose Insulation fire-safe?
Cellulose insulation is arguably the safest organic building material since it is always treated with persistent fire retardants. The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission does not believe cellulose insulation is a hazardous product.
Fire statistics do not support the claim that cellulose insulation is a hazardous product. The vast majority of fire and insulation experts agree that proper installation of insulation, not the specific material used, determines the safety of the insulation system in any building.
Can Cellulose Insulation help reduce building air-leakage?
Cellulose insulation has been shown to reduce air-leakage through wall and ceilings of buildings. Colorado University found cellulose at least 36% better than fiber glass in tightening buildings, which resulted in a 26%+ overall improvement in energy efficiency.
Considerable research at the US DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory shows cellulose insulation is not as subject to convective heat loss. Convection through insulation has been shown to reduce the R-values of comparable mineral fiber materials from 20–40%, in cold weather. Measured actual values as low as R-12 at nine degrees F for an R-19 fiber glass installation. However, Oak Ridge found no R-value erosion with cellulose.
Why should a home builder choose cellulose?
Cellulose insulation is cost effective, adds to housing affordability, meets codes, is easy to install, and helps differentiate your business as an environmentally friendly member of the development industry.
If you are meeting the Model Energy Code, or participating in a major national efficiency program—such as EPA Energy STAR homes, E-Seal (EEI), or NAHB endorsed manufacturer originated programs—then you will find when it is time to get your program homes tested, air-leakage is reduced and indoor air quality is maintained by this superior product.
How can I tell if I really got the advertised R-factor?
Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission R-factor rule, every insulation installer now routinely provides a fact sheet documenting the insulation value of the products put into buildings in the United States. But in the real world consumers still need to be careful about the advertised R-factors and the realities of installed performance of insulation. Independent university researchers have documented actual performance of cellulose insulation in real buildings can exceed energy efficiency of mineral fiber insulated walls by nearly 40%, resulting in over a 26% reduction in whole building energy use.