Insulating an older/existing home in the Chicago area without a gut rehab requires careful planning, prioritization of the most important issues, and an understanding that every step forward depends on the previous steps toward the goal of a more comfortable, energy-efficient home.

1. Assessment: Begin by assessing your home’s current insulation and identifying areas that need improvement. This will help you prioritize which areas to insulate first. At Chicago Green Insulation we charge $500 for a full home analysis of an existing home that is not undergoing construction. This evaluation will use Building Performance Institute standards to find the shortcomings and failures of the “thermal envelope” and where you have the biggest opportunities to make a difference.  At the time of the evaluation, it is important for you to know the goal/ problem that needs to be solved and any upcoming medications to your home, and the way you use it.  Is Mom/ Dad moving in?  Are the kids moving out?  Is the basement a future income property for you and an “In Law Suite” for the rest of the year?  Are you going to finish your attic, put on an addition, be aware of these things, and make a list for the day our auditor arrives so you can discuss them?  The $500 for the audit will be applied toward the scope of work you hire us to do in your home!  It is also eligible for a $150 tax credit at the end of the year via the Inflation Reduction Act
2. Types of Insulation: Research different insulation types suitable for your home, such as spray foam (Open or Closed Cell), blown-in insulation (Blown-in loose cellulose or fiberglass or dense pack), or batt insulation. Think of this as a “Good, Better, Best” scenario. More fiberglass batts in your attic is “good” (loose fiberglass is not as good), as long as you reach the 18-24” depth but if you do that the first step is to air seal all can lights, all bathroom vents must be vented to the outside and then the results will be “good”. If you do cellulose, it is “better” than fiberglass but still requires the air sealing before adding the new 16” or so of insulation to the 2021 code requirement of R60 in your attic.  In walls, the same options exist.  The vast majority of existing walls have fiberglass and are not doing their job so it does not make sense to put back the same material that was not working.  If fiberglass is your only option, please be smart and plan to air-seal the cavity with expanding foam at every seam, nail hole or gap in the cavity before putting in that batt.  If cellulose is your thought, the nice part of that is that you can install it via a hole in the drywall or even possibly the plaster as long as you have 3” or more cavity space. (We do this if needed!)  If the wall is open, foam is the best option as it is both an air seal and insulation.  If code officials are involved, you may not have any choice as the new R-value requirement in a wall is R30 which is not possible with fiberglass or cellulose.
3. R-Values: Understand R-values, air sealing, convection, and conductive heat flow and the impact. More is not always better but, it is a choice that you make in the process. Every insulation material comes with an R-value, which is the “resistance to conductive heat flow”.  Wood has an R-value of 1 per inch., which indicates the insulation’s effectiveness. Chicago’s climate may require higher R-values to ensure sufficient insulation against the cold.
4. Air Sealing: Proper air sealing is crucial to the overall performance of a home during the worst of the winter or summer. The average American home has enough holes in the house that if you add all the tiny gaps, cracks, and openings that allow drafts, you have a 4-square-foot opening in the side of your home. It is like leaving a window open and wondering why the furnace is not keeping you warm… Sealing these areas before insulating will enhance energy efficiency! Insulating with foam will do both air sealing and insulating!
5. Moisture Control: Address any moisture issues before insulating. Improper ventilation of humidity can trap moisture and lead to mold growth in the home. Consider using insulation materials that have moisture-resistant properties while still following all rules regarding the ventilation of moisture.