Straight answers

What does R-value mean?

R-value measures a material's thermal resistance — how well it slows heat moving through it. The higher the R-value, the greater the reduction in thermal transfer. But R-value only tells the whole story when the insulation is installed correctly and the assembly is air sealed; a batt with gaps around it or air washing through it won't perform at the number on the label.

How much will insulation actually save me?

Insulation is often the highest return-on-investment upgrade you can make to a home. The U.S. Department of Energy reports the typical American family spends close to $1,500 a year on energy bills, and estimates homeowners may reduce their energy bills by 10% to 50% by upgrading air sealing and insulation. Older homes with little or no insulation usually land at the higher end. Exact savings depend on your home's age, fuel type, and how leaky it is today — which is what a free estimate is for.

How much insulation does my home need?

Most of Utah requires attics insulated to R-49 to R-60, walls at R-20 to R-20 plus 5 of continuous insulation, floors at R-30, and basement walls at R-15 continuous or R-19 cavity. Many existing homes fall well short of these levels — code requirements have risen substantially since most of the valley's housing stock was built. We measure what you have and quote what it takes to close the gap.

What types of insulation are there?

Fiberglass is spun from recycled glass and molten sand, and comes as batts or blown loose-fill. Cellulose is recycled paper treated for bug and fire resistance, installed as loose-fill. Mineral wool (often called Rockwool) is made from volcanic rock and slag — it's more fire- and water-resistant and better at noise reduction, and comes as batts or loose-fill. Spray foam is a two-part polyurethane in open- and closed-cell forms; we don't install it, but we can refer you to trusted spray foam specialists if it's the right fit. Rigid foam boards (polystyrene or polyiso) and radiant barriers (aluminum foil on a backing) round out the toolbox. We help you choose the right combination for your home.

What insulation rebates or tax credits are available in Utah?

Some older homes qualify for weatherization rebates from Rocky Mountain Power (Wattsmart) or Enbridge Gas (ThermWise). If your home uses both natural gas and electricity for heating and cooling, you may qualify for both programs — each has its own criteria and restrictions. If your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, the Utah Weatherization Assistance Program covers air sealing and insulation upgrades free of charge. There are currently no other federal or state tax credits or incentives for insulation in Utah; previous programs have been halted.

How long does installation take?

It varies with the size of the home and the extent of the work, but the majority of jobs are completed in a single day — typically under 8 hours. Larger projects that combine removal, air sealing, and new insulation can run longer, and we tell you that up front.

My house is older — what about asbestos?

Asbestos was previously used to insulate homes and was later found to increase cancer risk. Homes built before 1978 are the highest risk, but asbestos-containing materials were used in construction through 1989. If we find suspected asbestos, approved abatement specialists must remove it before we proceed with modern materials — we don't disturb it, and neither should you.

Do you install spray foam?

No. We focus on removal, air sealing, blown-in insulation, batts, and drill-and-fill walls. Research from the Building Science Corporation Thermal Metric study found that when walls are built to the same installed R-value and air sealed inside and out, they perform essentially the same regardless of insulation material — so for most retrofits, sealing plus a well-installed conventional material does the job. If spray foam genuinely is the right fit for your project, we'll refer you to trusted spray foam specialists.

Can you insulate walls without removing drywall?

Yes — that's drill-and-fill. We drill small ports through the exterior or interior, dense-pack the empty stud cavities with insulation, and patch the holes. It's the standard way to insulate finished walls in existing homes, and we discuss exactly where the patchwork lands before any drilling starts.

What is air sealing and why does it come first?

Homes leak air through anything that penetrates a wall or ceiling — outlets, switches, light fixtures, skylights, vents, and fans. Air sealing uses foam or caulking to close those penetrations, which greatly improves temperature regulation and moisture control. Regardless of the insulation type you choose, without proper air sealing you will not achieve the intended R-value. Added together, the leaks in most houses are equivalent to an average 30-inch hole in the wall.

How do I know if my home needs more insulation?

If your home was built before 2012, it likely predates the current efficiency codes and can be improved — the Insulation Institute reports 89% of homes are underinsulated. Everyday signals include uneven room temperatures, high heating and cooling bills, hot upstairs bedrooms in summer, cold walls on windy days, and ice dams in winter. An attic inspection usually settles the question quickly, and our estimates are free.

Will insulation help with ice dams?

It's a major part of the fix. Ice dams form when heat leaking through the ceiling melts roof snow unevenly; the meltwater refreezes at the cold eaves. Air sealing the ceiling plane and bringing insulation up to consistent coverage reduces the heat reaching the roof deck. Ventilation and roof-edge details matter too, so we coordinate with your roofer when needed.

Do you offer blower door testing?

Yes, when it's useful. A blower door depressurizes the house and measures how much air leaks through the envelope, which turns 'this room feels drafty' into a number you can act on — and lets you verify that air sealing work actually moved that number. Some rebate programs also require documented testing.

Do you offer financing?

Ask at your estimate — we'll walk through payment options for your project size alongside any utility rebate programs you may qualify for. Estimates are always free, and you'll get a written scope before any commitment.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes — we're licensed and insured for residential insulation work in Utah. Documentation is available on request at your estimate.

What neighborhoods do you serve?

We work across the Wasatch Front with emphasis on Salt Lake County: Sugar House, Millcreek, The Avenues, Murray, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, West Valley, Sandy, Draper, and nearby. See our service area pages for notes on the typical home stock in each neighborhood.