Local Insulation and Home Energy Company in Litchfield County, CT

Problem: 

This home in Torrington was not well insulated in some areas and not even insulated in others. This owner gave us a call to figure out what could be done to help their home. On the call we told them we would get an evaluator to their home as soon as possible. 

Solution:

The evaluator looked at the home and discovered there was a lot of areas in the home that needed to be re-insulated and a first time insulation. The home had two attics so both of them needed to be fully done. Our team took out the old insulation in both attics and went forward with home owners permission to reinsulate the sides with SilverGlo foam boards and to spray the bottom with TruSoft cellulose. The same thing was done in the kneewall space but with this one there was no insulation before so we just added the foam boards and the cellulose. 

The homeowner was happy and ready to save money thanks to Dr.Energy saver by Fogarty's home services 

Attic hatch pull down stairs are necessary to access your attic. The problem is that when closed, they leak a LOT of air that you paid to heat from your home to the vented attic where it is lost. All of this warm air leaving the top of the house is replaced with cold outside air entering at the lower levels of your home, causing drafts, cold floors and uncomfortable rooms that are hard to heat. In addition to these problems, your pull down stairs are a big area in your ceiling that is not insulated - and your attic can be 30°F in the winter and a blazing 130°F in the summer! Result - cold, drafty rooms that are hard to heat, high overall home air leakage, and higher heating and cooling (fuel and electric) bills. Fogarty's Home Services has an exclusive "David Lewis Hatch Cover" (named for our engineer who developed it) that rests right over your pull down stairs. It stops air leakage and insulates over the stairs. Made of lightweight SilverGlo™ foam insulation, you just lift it aside to go up to your attic, and set it back in place when you leave. You don't see anything from the finished area of your home. SilverGlo™ foam insulation has graphite infused into the foam which bumps up the insulation value by 24% over standard EPS foam. It also has a radiant barrier (foil) on the flat lid to reflect heat back in during winter and out in the summer, so the insulation isn't doing all the work by itself. Result - a tighter, more comfortable, less drafty home you'll notice. Rooms are easier to heat. Lower fuel and electric bills.

Many older homes have no insulation in the exterior walls. This causes obvious problems. Heat flows from more (inside) to less (outside in winter) right through the walls, and the opposite in summer. Nearly all walls leak air, insulated or not, causing drafts. The cold wall surface cools interior air which then sinks and travels across the floor and up the warmer interior wall, and across the ceiling back to the exterior wall. This is called a "convective loop" and makes rooms feel even draftier. Results - cold, drafty rooms, uncomfortable home, heating and cooling systems run much more and need more service, difficult to keep house at comfortable temperature, higher fuel and electric bills, dry home in winter, more dust/pollen, more humidity in the house in summer when air conditioned. Siding is removed temporarily as necessary and 2 9/16" holes are drilled through the wall sheathing. A fill tube is inserted up (and down) into wall cavities to not only fill, but dense pack the wall cavities. Dense packing is a technique that packs the insulation in very tightly - so tightly that all irregular shaped cavities and crevices in the wall cavities are filled, and air will not penetrate the dense packed cellulose. It's remarkable, and something that can't be achieved with fiberglass - not even close! Dense packed cellulose stops air flow through the wall and insulates. TruSoft™ Cellulose is treated to be highly fire, most and pest resistant. Holes are plugged and siding is put back. With wood siding, old nail holes and new nails may be noticeable on close inspection. Very small new nail heads will be visible on aluminum siding. (If specified, siding will not be removed but drilled and plugged instead). Results - a less drafty, warmer, quieter, more comfortable house, less dust/pollen, house not so dry in winter, lower fuel/electric bills, heating system runs - less maintenance. 

Some homes or additions are designed with floors that have the outside air under them. Other times, a home or addition was originally used as a summer home or "three season room", and was converted to all season heated space later. When the outside air flows under a floor, it feels very cold and uncomfortable in the winter - especially with ceramic tile, linoleum, or laminate floors. Since the floor is the surface of the room we are in contact with the most, it's very important to fix, in order to be comfortable. There are two issues - air leakage through the floor, and conductive heat loss through the floor, because heat moves from more to less through solid materials. Even if there is fiberglass batt insulation in the floor, because it sags down away from the sub floor, the same outside air gets over it ("thermal bypass") rendering it useless. Mold on the floor joists and sub floor is also a concern. Results - cold floors, drafts, uncomfortable rooms, greater overall home air leakage rate, and higher energy bills. Any batt insulation in the floor is removed. Then, expanding foam insulation is sprayed to the bottom of the floor using special equipment. the foam fills all voids, gaps, and odd-shaped cavities - even around pipes, wires, and cross bridging. Unlike fiberglass, foam insulation stops air flow through the floor which is critical to get the results you want. The R-value is far superior to fiberglass insulation and has integrity with no gaps or air flowing through it. Spray foam is not completely flat and thicknesses will vary. Spray foam will also make a quieter less hollow sounding floor. (Need at least 36" under the floor to spray foam). Results - much warmer floors, less drafts, more comfortable rooms, quieter home, and lower energy bills. In

This homeowner in New Hartford, CT called us hoping to get some supplemental support in a basement prior to the home being sold. Structural problems, such as settling columns or sagging beams and floor joists, are common within homes. Settlings of columns in a basement is most often caused by weak foundation soils. Over time, these soils shift and settle with changes in moisture content and density, causing movement of the columns and the beams above. Sagging beams and floor joists are often the result of improper spacing of existing pier columns, effectively overloading beams and causing them to bend and sag. Excess moisture and wood rot can also cause beams and joists to weaken over time. Result - unlevel floors, cracking walls, doors and windows don't function correctly. 

Luckily, Fogarty's Home Services had a solution to the issue this customer was having. We utilized our SmartJack™ floor support system. The SmartJack™ system will level and stabilize the existing beams and floor joists in a home. A solid base of engineered fill addresses problems with weak foundation soils by effectively transferring the load to competent strata. Industrial strength, galvanized steel columns are secured to the beams or joists in the basement. A heavy-duty, threaded rod allows for adjustment and a custom fit for each SmartJack™ system that is installed. The SmartJack™ is made from high-strength steel components and provides the best opportunity to lift the above floors and walls back to their original, level position. The SmartJack™ is galvanized for corrosion-resistance, can be installed in very tight conditions where height or access is limited. Results - immediate stabilization of floors, floors are level, improved operation of doors and windows, restoration of property value. 

This homeowner in New Hartford, CT called us hoping that we would be able to help her with her attic. We had previously helped her insulate her basement, and it was time to move on to the next step in the project. Her home's attic was in need of new insulation before winter came. 

Before we were able to help this customer make their home more comfortable, we had to first remove the old insulation. The loose fill insulation was vacuumed with a giant vacuum located outside with giant filter bags and a very long, fat hose. Result - Now the attic is clean! We could then begin our other treatments and solutions to help this homeowner stay comfortable and mold-free in her home for years to come! 

This homeowner reached out to us hoping we would be able to help her. She had a three-season room that was quite cold, and she wanted to be able to insulate it. Some homes or additions are designed with floors that have the outside air under them. Other times a home or addition was originally used as a summer home or “three season room”, and was converted to all season heated space later. When the outside air flows under a floor it feels very cold and uncomfortable in the winter - especially with ceramic tile, linoleum or laminate floors. Since the floor is the surface of the room we are in contact with most, it’s very important to fix, in order to be comfortable. There are two issues - air leakage through the floor, and conductive heat loss through the floor, because heat moves from more to less through solid materials. Even if there is fiberglass batt insulation in the floor, because it sags down away from the sub floor, the same outside air gets over it (“thermal bypass”) rendering it useless. Mold on the floor joists and sub floor is also a concern. Results - cold floors, drafts, uncomfortable rooms, greater overall home air leakage rate, higher fuel and electric bills.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. In this solution, the open floor joist bays are closed off by installing plywood or oriented strand board OSB across the bottom of the joists. Then the hollow bays are “dense packed” with ProWool™ Rockwool insulation. “Dense packing” is our special technique to pack the cellulose in so tightly that it stops airflow through the floor. The insulation can be installed by removing siding and drilling holes to insert a fill pipe (holes are plugged and siding is reinstalled) or through the bottom of the floor. The ProWool™ fills all gaps and odd shaped cavities in the floor. ProWool™ will not burn, get moldy, or attract pests. Dense packed ProWool™ also quiets floors dramatically, getting rid of that hollow sound. Result - Much warmer floors, less drafts and more comfortable rooms, quieter home, lower fuel and electric bills.

This homeowner in Harwinton, CT called us hoping that we would be able to help him with his basement. The basement had a water issue. When our Home Comfort Specialist came out to the home, he noted that the basement needed a new sump pump. A sump pump is a critically important part of a home because it keeps an entire level of the home protected against flooding - which could cause many thousands of dollars in property damage, clean up time and aggravation. Results -- A flooded basement, mess, property damage, and mold -- just what this homeowner was trying to avoid! 

Luckily, Fogarty's Home Services had the perfect solution for this customer -- the TripleSafe™ sump pump system. The TripleSafe™ system has 3 pumps to protect from flooding. The first pump is a 1/3 hp, cast iron Zoeller pump that can pump up to 2200 gallons per hour, 8 feet high. Should the first pump fail or not be able to keep up with the temporary heavy flow of water, a 1/2 hp AC back-up pump on a separate discharge line can pump 3900 gallons of water per hour. If the power fails, then a third, battery operated "UltraSump" pump automatically pumps up to 12,000 gallons of water out of the basement! An airtight lid keeps moisture, odors and radon gas out of the basement. The TripleSafe™ system is the highest quality sump pump protection in the world! Results -- the homeowner has peace of mind knowing she has both AC and DC powered back up pumps to keep her basement dry. 

This homeowner in Harwinton, CT called us hoping that we would be able to help him with his attic. He had black mold in the attic and wanted it removed and the insulation replaced.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. In this solution, we utilize our Mold-X2 Cleaner and Botanical solutions. Mold-X2 Cleaner effectively eliminates mold and mildew stains on contact. It is non-abrasive and non-flammable, and is sprayed on effected areas. Once Mold-X2 Cleaner is applied, mold disappears instantly, leaving wood surfaces looking nearly new. Mold-X2 Botanical, a plant-based disinfectant with a pleasant, temporary scent, is sprayed or fogged on surfaces, which prevents mold from growing back. Now the attic is ready for other solutions. Result - Mold eliminated, no odors or wood rot.

This homeowner in Thomaston, CT reached out to us looking to insulate his basement. He had some fiberglass insulation, but it was inefficient and he was cold. In a basement, the “rim joist” is the perimeter of the floor framing system along the exterior of the house. The joints and gaps between all the framing members allow for a lot of air leakage into the house. The rim joist is seldom insulated and never air sealed. Basement ceiling insulation, especially fiberglass batts, doesn’t stop the flow of cold air into the home. Results - cold floors, drafty, uncomfortable rooms, cold basement/lower level, higher heating and cooling bills and more condensation in the basement or crawl space in the summer.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. In this solution, we spray foam the rim joist in the basement in order to seal and insulate it. Two part expanding spray foam is installed on the rim joist and over the sill plate to seal all air leaks from the outside and insulate this important area of the home. Our spray foam has a high insulation value per inch of R7, and because it expands, it seals all cracks and gaps and joints where air from the outside enters the home. Results - warmer floors, less drafts, more comfortable rooms, the house is easier to heat and costs less to heat, less summertime condensation on cold basement surfaces.

This homeowner in Northfield, CT called us stating that her basement was freezing. She was hoping that we would be able to remove and replace her basement insulation. In a basement, the “rim joist” is the perimeter of the floor framing system along the exterior of the house. The joints and gaps between all the framing members allow for a lot of air leakage into the house. The rim joist is seldom insulated and never air sealed. Basement ceiling insulation, especially fiberglass batts, doesn’t stop the flow of cold air into the home. Results - cold floors, drafty, uncomfortable rooms, cold basement/lower level, higher heating and cooling bills and more condensation in the basement or crawl space in the summer.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. In this solution, we spray foam the rim joist in the basement in order to seal and insulate it. Two part expanding spray foam is installed on the rim joist and over the sill plate to seal all air leaks from the outside and insulate this important area of the home. Our spray foam has a high insulation value per inch of R7, and because it expands, it seals all cracks and gaps and joints where air from the outside enters the home. Results - warmer floors, less drafts, more comfortable rooms, the house is easier to heat and costs less to heat, less summertime condensation on cold basement surfaces.

This homeowner in Goshen, CT called us because he was concerned about his home's radon levels. His family was considering either selling their home or finishing the basement. They knew they would need to test the home before selling anyway, and figured they would have their home tested so they knew what they were dealing with. They had radon pipes for a passive system, but were unsure if it was working or what their levels were.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. We tested the home's radon levels using our AirThings Corentium Pro radon monitor. This test was set up in the basement, as they were hoping to have it transformed to living space. After a few days, the radon test was ready to be picked up. Our certified radon measurement specialist analyzed the results, and found that the home's radon level came out to 3.6 pCi/L. This is just under the EPA's radon action level of 4 pCi/L. The homeowners were very thankful to know what was going on in their home so that they could make an informed decision!

This homeowner in Colebrook, CT reached out to us hoping that we would be able to help her with her home. She had bought a home a few months prior, knowing that it was a historical home built around 200 years ago. The home had had multiple issues. These issues included ice damming, mold in her basement and garage, cold floors, and a rodent problem in the home. She wanted to focus on fixing the mold in addition to the comfort issues.

We had the perfect solution for this customer's issues -- our Mold-X2 Cleaner and Mold-X2 Botanical treatments. We start with the Mold-X2 Cleaner. Once applied, mold begins to disappear almost instantly. Mold-X2 Botanical is then applied to the area, preventing re-growth of mold. Now, this home is prepared for our other solutions, and they no longer have a mold issue!