Why You Should Insulate Before Buying a New HVAC Unit

If you’ve ever gotten a quote for insulation work and thought, “Where is this number even coming from?” — you’re not alone.

‍

We get it. Home improvement pricing can feel like a black box. So let’s open it up. This post breaks down how insulation pricing works — at least for us at Nealon Insulation — so you can make better-informed decisions about your home.

‍

The Building Blocks of a Quote

Every insulation project has three core pricing components:

1. Materials
   
   
2. Labor
   
   
3. Margin (which covers overhead as well as a modest profit for us… we gotta eat too!)
   
   

Let’s break each one down.

‍

1. Materials: What You’re Putting in the Walls (or Attic or Basement)

First up: materials. This part’s pretty cut and dry.

‍

Based on the size of the space and the type of insulation you need — fiberglass batts, spray foam, cellulose, etc. — we estimate how much product is needed based on the square footage and necessary R-value which is essentially measured by thickness in inches.

‍

We know the cost per bag, batt, or board foot (square foot by inch) of material. Multiply that by the quantity needed, and you’ve got your material cost!

‍

Simple as that! It’s transparent and straightforward — no magic here…

‍

But next come’s the trickier part…

‍

2. Labor: Who’s Installing It, and How Long will It Take

This is where things start to vary a bit more.

‍

We do our best estimate how many total hours it will take to complete the job, from setup to cleanup. Then we multiply that by the average hourly labor cost across our crew. Our goal is to be as efficient as possible with this to ensure that you don’t get overcharged and everyone comes out a winner. 

‍

But it’s important to note labor isn’t just the physical act of installing insulation. It includes things like:

• Driving to your property
  
  
• Setting up tools and safety gear
  
  
• Protecting your home’s surfaces
  
  
• Cleaning up so you’re not left with a mess
  
  

If your home is older, has tight crawlspaces, requires extra prep, or needs just a little bit more concentration and caution then of course the labor hours go up.

‍

And on top of that in this line of work sometime’s we’re getting into spaces or walls where we don’t even know what we’re going to find until we’re in there so sometimes contingencies need to be built in. 

‍

3. Margin: Why the Final Price Isn’t Just Materials + Labor

Here’s the part most people don’t talk about — the markup… 

‍

After we calculate materials and labor, we add a target margin. This isn’t just profit for us. It also covers all the other costs of running a business:

• Insurance and licenses
  
  
• Vehicles and gas
  
  
• Payroll taxes
  
  
• Tools and equipment maintenance
  
  
• Office support
  
  
• Marketing and scheduling
  
  
• Training, safety, and more!
  
  

But I promise we’re not greedy! Our goal is for you, the customer, to get real value for the price. We don’t aim for crazy margins. We aim for healthy, sustainable ones — the kind that keep good, high quality people employed and happy to help you with your problems. 

‍

Why Some Quotes Are Lower (or Higher)

If you see a big discrepancy in pricing, it could be because:

• They’re cutting corners on material quality
  
  
• They’re underestimating labor time
  
  
• They’re not factoring in overhead (and may not be around next year)
  
  
• Or maybe they’re just a more efficienct company
  
  

If a quote is higher, it could be due to a company’s inefficiencies, higher overhead, maybe just plain greed… or maybe they’re higher quality and doing things the right way. 

‍

Everything’s relative here so it’s hard to know, just make sure you’re working with someone you can trust and know what you’re paying for.

‍

Final Thoughts

Insulation isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the best investments you can make in your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and long-term health.

‍

We believe in doing things right — pricing included. When you get a quote from us, it’s built through real time, effort, and deep thought to ensure we’re providing the highest quality work for the best value:
Materials + Labor + Margin = Total Price

‍

It’s not rocket science. It’s just good business.

‍

And when it’s done right, everybody wins.

‍

👉 Free consultation. No pressure. Just honest advice.

‍

Let’s be honest—insulation isn’t sexy. It’s not something you show off to your neighbors. It’s not your renovated Kitchen with marble finishing or a beautiful new stone deck with a built in grill and smoker. 

‍

No one’s coming over to crack open beers and admire the craftsmanship… “Wow, check out that R-49 blown cellulose! There’s no lumps or anything!” 

‍

But… if you own a home in Connecticut, insulation might be the most boring way to save yourself the most money. You won’t get oooh’s and aaah’s but you will get lower energy bills, a more comfortable home, and fewer fights over the thermostat.

‍

But I know what you’re now asking yourself… how much can I really save? How long does insulation take to pay for itself?

‍

🥁🥁🥁

‍

The Short Answer: 2 to 5 Years…

‍

The Even Shorter Answer: It depends! But it does works

‍

But definitely don’t take my word for it. What do I know, I’ve only been doing this for 40 years… And I’ve been told I’m biased or something… 

‍

Let’s see what the Research Says

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Energize CT, insulation and air sealing will shave 15–30% off your heating and cooling bills. In Connecticut, where winters are long and heating oil is basically liquid gold, that adds up!

• The average Connecticut household spends around $2,000 per year on heating and cooling combined (source: EIA.gov).
  
  
• So let’s do some quick math!
  
  • If you saved 20% on your heating and cooling bills that’s $400/year back in your pocket.
  • If your insulation project costs around ~$2,000 that’s about a 5 year payback 
  • If you save closer to 30%...that’s less than a three and a half year payback
  • After that it’s just continuous money in your pocket for the next 25-30 years until you need another upgrade

‍

But like I said before… it depends! 

‍

Not to brag or anything but we’ve upgraded homes in which the payback period was fewer than 2 years!

‍

Add in Connecticut’s Home Energy Solutions program, and it gets better. The program can often cover up to 75% of the cost through rebates and incentives.

‍

Facts, Myths, and We-Just-Don’t-Know 

There’s a lot of information floating around out there...let’s break it down. 

✅ Facts

• Insulation reduces energy bills. 
  • This is backed by the DOE, ENERGY STAR, and pretty much anyone who’s upgraded their insulation and compared their before and after their utility bill afterward.
    
    

• Air sealing matters. A lot. 
  • Think of it like this: insulation is your sweater. Air sealing is zipping up your jacket. Both are good. Together, they’re great.
    
    

• Rebates are available. 
  • Energize CT offers rebates and sometimes even 75% coverage for audits and weatherization. Here’s the link.
    
    

• Older homes in CT are often wildly under-insulated. 
  • Especially if they were built before 1980. Some wall cavities are literally empty.
    
    

❌ Myths

• “Insulation only helps me in the winter.” 
  • Nope. It helps in summer too by keeping heat out and ensuring more efficient AC use. Ever been in an attic in July? If so, you get it.
    
    

• “If I have insulation, I’m good.”‍
  • Maybe. But maybe not. A lot of homes have insulation that’s:
    • Just not enough
    • Poorly installed
    • Degraded over time
      
      

• “It’s too expensive to be worth it.” 
  • With rebates and long-term savings, insulation’s one of the few home upgrades that pays for itself—and then keeps paying.
    
    

🤷‍♂️ We Just Don’t Know

• Exactly how fast your home will pay it back.‍
  • We need to see the place. Every home is different. We’ll look at square footage, current insulation levels, energy bills, and then we can estimate savings and rebates.
    
    

• How much longer Connecticut winters will get.‍
  • Between polar vortexes and mild Decembers, who knows. But insulation helps regardless.
    
    

• Why builders didn’t insulate better in the '60s and '70s.‍
  • Your guess is as good as ours. Maybe they just loved single-pane windows and cold feet.
    
    

Final Thoughts

Insulation’s not flashy. It’s not fun to talk about at parties (...actually it is for us). But in terms of bang-for-your-buck, it’s one of the best home improvements you can invest in.

‍

Here’s what you get:

• Real savings
  
  
• Real comfort
  
  
• A more efficient, quieter, and healthier home
  
  

‍

If you’re in Connecticut, you’ve got access to generous incentives. We’ll even help you apply for them. So if your house is cold, drafty, or your energy bills are making you sweat—get in touch.

‍

👉 Get in touch with Nealon Insulation. We’ll take a look, give you honest feedback, and let you know if it makes sense. No pressure. No BS. Just real talk, real results, and real insulation.

‍

Let’s start with this: insulation isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on your energy bills year-round. Whether you’re battling a New England nor’easter or a brutal summer heatwave, your insulation is doing the quiet, thankless job of keeping conditioned air where it belongs: inside your home.‍

‍

But how does it actually save you money? Let’s break it down.

‍

1. Insulation Slows Down Heat Transfer

Heat moves in and out of your house constantly—through walls, ceilings, floors, and anywhere it finds a weak spot. This process is called heat transfer, and without good insulation, your home is bleeding energy like a sieve. In winter, warm air escapes. In summer, heat pours in. Insulation acts like a barrier, slowing that process down so your HVAC system doesn’t have to work overtime to keep up.

‍

Less work for your furnace or AC = less energy used = lower utility bills.

‍

2. Insulation Keeps Temperatures Stable

Ever notice how some rooms feel freezing while others are sweltering? That’s usually a sign of poor insulation or air leaks. Ideally, rooms in the same house shouldn’t differ by more than 2–3°F. If you're seeing 5 degrees or more between rooms, it’s a red flag—your home likely has insulation gaps or airflow issues.

‍

When you insulate properly—especially your attic, walls, and basement—you even out those swings and stop playing thermostat whack-a-mole. Want to layer your savings? Combine good insulation with simple, low-cost hacks to stay warm in winter—like these 10 free or cheap ways to stay warm.

‍

3. It Reduces HVAC Runtime

Your heating and cooling systems cycle on and off all day. But the better your home holds its temperature, the less often those systems need to run. Over time, this adds up to serious savings—not just on energy, but also on maintenance and equipment lifespan. Well-insulated homes put less wear and tear on HVAC units, meaning fewer breakdowns and a longer system life.

‍

4. It's a One-Time Investment That Pays Off For Years

Insulation isn’t a band-aid fix—it’s a long-term upgrade. Whether you’re using spray foam, batts, or blown-in cellulose, you’re making a one-time investment that keeps paying you back every month.

‍

And if you’re looking to insulate finished walls without tearing everything apart, we’ve got a method for that too. It’s called drill and plug, and it lets us dense-pack cellulose insulation from the outside of your home—sealing up energy loss while leaving everything looking untouched. It’s one of our go-to moves for older homes with empty wall cavities.

‍

The Bottom Line

If your energy bills are creeping higher and your home still doesn’t feel comfortable, your insulation might be the culprit. Fixing it won’t just make your house cozier—it’ll put money back in your pocket every single month.

‍

Want to see what better insulation could do for your home?
‍

👉 Get in touch with Nealon Insulation. We’ll take a look, give it to you straight, and help you lower your bills the smart way.

‍