Insulation & Energy Savings

T.A.P. Insulation

Many homes – even new homes – are under-insulated. T·A·P is a natural fiber insulation (cellulose) treated with proprietary formulations to produce fire-retardant, environmentally-friendly, thermally superior, sound-deadening insulation with pest-controlling properties. Most importantly, T·A·P saves money by reducing utility bills. It keeps homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. T·A·P is denser than fiberglass insulation (air does not move through it well) so it resists heat transfer by convection (a serious deficiency of fiberglass insulation).

T·A·P's excellent energy absorbing properties also help make your home quieter. And T·A·P, the only stabilized pest control insulation on the market helps control pests in your home (T·A·P is an EPA-labeled pest control insulation completely safe for use around humans and pets and never needs re-treating). T·A·P is the permanent, all-Natural, and environmentally friendly solution for insulating your home!

» Learn more about T.A.P. Insulation

» Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report on insulation

Solar Screens

Install solar screens on windows that receive direct sun and take advantage of one of the most effective, yet affordable, ways to keep your home cool. Highly practical, they not only provide energy savings and reduce utility bills, they also keep rooms more comfortable, improve daytime privacy and reduce glare. While allowing natural ventilation and maintaining excellent outward visibility, they protect interior furnishings from fading. Solar screens – an elegant and practical way to keep rooms cool!

» Learn more about Solar Screens

Radiant Barrier

In summer, your attic is a natural solar heat trap. Everything in it, including your insulation, absorbs and stores heat. Long after sunset, your attic units are working to dissipate the stored heat that is radiating into the living area. In central Texas, studies show that the installation of a radiant barrier can be beneficial in effectively managing utility costs. ABC uses LO/MIT Radiant Barrier Spray, a proven low emissivity coating applied to the underside of your roof decking that helps control heat build-up in your attic by reflecting the solar radiation trying to penetrate. Once you have the right insulation level (R-value) in your attic, an ABC professional can also help you determine if a radiant barrier makes good economic sense!

Attic Tent

Typically, pull-down attic access stairs have a 1/4 gap around the door. This gap is the equivalent of a 7" diameter hole in the ceiling! Attic Tents are installed to stop the transfer of air and dirt between the attic and living space. Attic Tents create an air-tight barrier, reducing energy loss year round, stop transfer of humidity, dust and blown insulation particles, contain no fiber glass materials and have zippers for easy access.

» Learn more about Attic Tent

Attic Ventilation

Often overlooked is the importance of adequate and properly-designed attic ventilation. During summer, excess heat in the attic can build up during the day, causing added stress on your cooling system and higher operating costs. Moisture from the home living space can also transfer into the attic, and if not properly exhausted, can cause deterioration of both insulation and construction materials. ABC professionals are trained to calculate necessary ventilation requirements and will ensure an effectively-designed ventilation system is in place.

Thermographic Energy Audit

Thermography uses a specially designed infrared camera to make images (called thermograms) that show surface heat variations. The resulting images help determine whether insulation is needed and also serve in quality control to ensure your insulation is installed correctly. Thermography is also an excellent tool to instantly identify costly leaks in ductwork, weatherstripping failures, air leaks around windows, doors and outlets. It can also be used to confirm proper heating and cooling performance and balance by accurately measuring outlet temperatures.

Weatherization

Warm air leaking into your home during summer and out of your home during winter can waste energy dollars. You can save 10% or more on your utility bill by reducing the air leaks in your home. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks is to caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. You should also caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air and caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets. Install rubber gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls. Using advanced infrared technology, ABC will help you economically identify and seal these costly leaks.

Water Heaters

Water heating accounts for 20% or more of an average household’s annual energy expenditures. The yearly operating costs for conventional gas or electric storage tank water heaters average $200 or $450, respectively. Storage tank-type water heaters raise and maintain the water temperature to the temperature setting on the tank (usually between 120° - 140° F (49° -60° C). Even if no hot water is drawn from the tank (and cold water enters the tank), the heater will operate periodically to maintain the water temperature. This is due to "standby losses": the heat conducted and radiated from the walls of the tank—and in gas-fired water heaters—through the flue pipe. These standby losses represent 10% to 20% of a household’s annual water heating costs. One way to reduce this expenditure is to use a demand (also called "tankless" or "instantaneous") water heater.

» Learn more about Water Heaters