Home Comfort Insights from Connecticut's Insulation Experts

Insulation’s not the sexiest topic in the world, but if you care about comfort, energy bills, or not freezing your tail off in February, it matters—a lot. But here’s the kicker: good insulation is only as good as the folks putting it in.

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Pick the right crew, and you’ll stay cozy for decades. Pick the wrong one, and you’re left with drafty rooms, lumpy attic fill, and a bill that hurts more than the cold.

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Here’s how to tell the pros from the pretenders—straight from a team that’s been doing this for nearly 50 years on the Connecticut shoreline.

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1. Look for Experience (Not Just a Truck and a Ladder)

Insulation isn’t paint. You can’t just slap it up and hope for the best. Every home has quirks—especially the older colonials and beach houses around here. Different areas of the house also require different insulation strategies. An attic is not a basement is not a wall.

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You want a team that understands building science, not just how to blow fluff into an attic.

Ask:

• How long have they been doing just insulation?
• Do they actually specialize, or is this just another checkbox service?
• Do they know how coastal homes breathe, leak, and shift?

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At Nealon, this is our bread and butter. We’ve been insulating Connecticut homes since 1977—longer than some companies have been alive. We know what works here because we've seen it all: storm surge crawlspaces, sagging batts, and 100-year-old rafters that don’t follow the rules.

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2. Ask What Materials They Use (and Why)

Insulation isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. A good company won’t just give you one option—they’ll walk you through what’s best for your house.

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Here’s the short version:

• Cellulose: Our go-to. It’s recycled, dense, good at sealing air leaks, and holds up in messy New England weather.
• Fiberglass: Cheap. Works okay if installed right, but that’s a big “if.”
• Spray Foam: Great air seal, but pricey and not so easy to undo if something goes sideways.

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Bottom line: if the company can’t explain the pros and cons in plain English, you probably don’t want them jamming materials in your walls.

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3. Make Sure They’re Licensed, Insured, and Legit

This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised. If they can’t show you a license or proof of insurance, show them the door.

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Ask for:

• Their Connecticut contractor license
• Proof of liability insurance
• Workers’ comp coverage

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Because let’s be real—if someone falls through your attic ceiling and they’re not insured, you could end up holding the bag. No thanks.

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4. Check the Receipts (a.k.a. Reviews)

Real companies leave a paper trail—and I don’t mean the invoice.

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Look at:

• Google reviews (read the bad ones too)
• Their BBB profile
• Testimonials from real customers

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We’re proud of our track record, but we always tell folks: don’t take our word for it. Ask around. Chances are we’ve worked on your neighbor’s house, or your cousin’s place in Guilford.

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5. Ask About Energy Rebates

If you’re in Connecticut, EnergizeCT offers rebates to help cover the cost of insulation. But here’s the catch—you need a certified contractor to qualify.

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We’re part of the EnergizeCT Insulation Installers Network, which means we know how to get you the biggest bang for your buck. We even help handle the paperwork, because who’s got time for that?

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6. Get a Proper Estimate (Not Just a Guess)

A pro doesn’t quote you over the phone without seeing your house. They show up, check everything out, and walk you through the plan.

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You should expect:

• A free inspection
• A detailed breakdown of costs
• Clear expectations around savings and comfort

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If a company’s vague or pushy, that’s a red flag. You want honest advice, not someone trying to hit their sales quota.

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7. Pay Attention to How They Treat You

Do they call back? Show up on time? Take their shoes off when they come in?

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The best companies treat your home like it’s their own—and they back up their work with a warranty.

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At Nealon, we don’t do hard sells or ghost you after the install. We stick around. Because the work we do is supposed to last for decades—and so is the relationship.

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Why Homeowners in Connecticut Trust Nealon Insulation

Here’s what you get when you work with us:

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✅ 48 years of experience
✅ Specialists in cellulose and spray foam insulation
✅ Certified with EnergizeCT to help you save money
✅ A crew that shows up, cleans up, and does the job right
✅ Local to the shoreline—and proud of it

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If you're ready to insulate smarter and skip the runaround, we’d love to chat. Start with a free quote right here:
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👉 Give the team that's been trusted since 1977 to insulate homes across the state of Connecticut!

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Let’s say your house was built back when gas was under a buck and insulation was more of a “maybe” than a must. Odds are, your exterior walls are either barely insulated—or not insulated at all. That’s bad news for your wallet, your comfort, and your sanity every time the weather swings 40 degrees in a day (which, in Connecticut, happens a lot).

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Good news: you don’t need to rip your drywall out to fix it. There’s a clean, smart method called drill-and-fill that gets the job done with minimal mess and maximum payoff.

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Let’s walk through it.

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Want a video walkthrough instead? Check it out below.

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Why Bother Insulating Exterior Walls?

It’s not just about being cozy in February (though that’s a big perk). Adding insulation to those empty wall cavities makes your home:

✅ Cheaper to run – You’ll use less heat in the winter and less A/C in the summer. Energy bills drop.
✅ More comfortable – Say goodbye to random cold spots and that draft that hits you like a slap every time you walk past the hallway.
✅ Quieter – Street noise, barking dogs, leaf blowers—insulation helps block all of it.
✅ Better protected – Insulation helps deter pests and slows down moisture buildup, which means less risk of mold or mildew.
✅ More valuable – Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers. Simple as that.

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The Drill-and-Fill Method: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

This is how we insulate walls without trashing your interior:

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Step 1: Pop Off Some Siding

We gently remove a few pieces of your home’s exterior siding. No sledgehammers. No chaos. Just enough to get access to the wall cavities behind it.

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Step 2: Drill Holes in the Sheathing

We drill small, evenly spaced holes in the sheathing between the studs—basically creating access ports into those empty wall cavities.

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Step 3: Blow in the Insulation

This is where the magic happens. We use high-pressure equipment to blow dense-pack cellulose into every nook and cranny of those walls. It fills the space tight, seals up air gaps, and won’t settle over time.

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We can also use fiberglass, but it’s not as good at blocking air. Spray foam works too, but it’s way more expensive and a lot more invasive for existing walls.

Cellulose insulation is our go-to—made from recycled paper, treated to resist fire and pests, and killer at sealing up leaks.

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Step 4: Seal the Holes

Once the walls are fully packed, we plug and seal each hole tight. No leaks, no loose ends.

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Step 5: Reinstall the Siding

We carefully pop the siding back on. When we’re done, you won’t even know we were there—aside from how much warmer and quieter your home feels.

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What’s the Best Insulation for Exterior Walls?

If we’re talking existing homes here in Connecticut, dense-pack cellulose is usually your best bet. It performs like a champ in older construction, it seals up air leaks like a boss, and it plays nicely with our wet coastal weather.

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Fiberglass? It’s cheaper, sure, but not as airtight.
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Spray foam? Great stuff in new builds, but not worth the hassle (or price) for most retrofits.

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Bottom line: If your walls are hollow, you’re paying extra every single month to heat the outdoors. Drill-and-fill insulation fixes that—quietly, cleanly, and without turning your home into a construction zone.

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👉 Want to learn if this makes sense for your place? Reach out here and we’ll take a look.

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P.s. If you want to calculate the R-Value of your home check out our R-Value calculator

If your house feels like a sauna in July and a walk-in freezer in January, your gut reaction might be: “We need a bigger HVAC system.”

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Not so fast.

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Before you drop five or ten grand on a new furnace or A/C, there’s a smarter, way more cost-effective move: upgrade your insulation. Insulation takes a huge load off your heating and cooling system—so much so that you might not need a new system at all. Or, if you do, it could be a smaller (cheaper) one that runs less and lasts longer.

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Let’s break it down.

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1. A Bigger HVAC System Can’t Fix a Leaky House

This one’s a heartbreaker: folks spend thousands on a new HVAC unit, and the house still feels uncomfortable. Why? Because the real issue isn’t the equipment—it’s that your home is bleeding heat in the winter and sucking in hot air in the summer.

✔ In the winter, warm air escapes through your attic, walls, and floors like air leaking from a pinhole in a tire.
✔ In the summer, heat sneaks in and overstays its welcome, forcing your A/C to grind all day.

You can buy the fanciest system on the market—it won’t matter if your home isn't air sealed. You’re basically cooling (or heating) the outdoors.

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2. Better Insulation = Smaller HVAC System (and Smaller Price Tag)

Here’s the part the HVAC sales guy might not tell you: your system is sized based on how much heating or cooling your home needs. Improve your insulation, and your home needs less of both.

✔ That means you can get a smaller system.
✔ Smaller = cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and longer lasting.
✔ Oversized systems are a waste. They cycle on and off constantly, wear out quicker, and don’t even regulate temps well.

Insulate first, and you just might save yourself from buying a Cadillac when a Honda will do the job just fine.

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3. Lower Bills. Longer Lifespan. Fewer Headaches.

Upgrading insulation is like giving your HVAC a break. It doesn’t have to work as hard, which means:

💰 Lower utility bills
🔧 Less maintenance and fewer breakdowns
⏳ A longer system life before you’re shelling out for a replacement

It’s a no-brainer. Keep your system alive longer and make it actually work better in the meantime.

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4. Real Comfort Comes from Stopping the Leaks

New HVAC systems are great—but if your insulation stinks, you’ll still deal with:

❄️ Cold floors and drafty corners in the winter
🔥 Bedrooms that never cool down in the summer

That’s not a furnace problem—it’s an insulation problem. Patch the leaks with proper insulation, and suddenly your home feels like it should. Even temperatures, all year round. Peace and quiet. No more duct tape “solutions.”

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5. Insulating First = Big Savings

Still on the fence? Here’s the money talk:

✔ Insulation usually costs less than replacing your HVAC system.
✔ It pays off every month in lower heating and cooling bills.
✔ Rebates are available—Connecticut’s EnergizeCT program helps cover the cost.

Spend less now, save more later. That’s how you build a smarter home.

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So, What’s the Best Insulation?

At Nealon Insulation, we’re big fans of dense-pack cellulose for one reason: it works. Better than fiberglass, less invasive than spray foam, and built for real-world conditions here in Connecticut.

✅ Stops air leaks cold
✅ Made from 85% recycled materials
✅ Treated with borate (pest-resistant and mold-resistant)
✅ Perfect for attics, walls, basements, garages—where most energy loss happens

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Bottom Line: Insulate First, Then Decide on HVAC

Upgrading your insulation first gives your current HVAC system a fighting chance. And if you do need to replace it? You’ll need a smaller, more affordable one—because your home won’t demand nearly as much from it.

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👉 Ready to give your HVAC a break? Let’s talk insulation first.

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P.s. Calculate your homes R-Value

Winter on the Connecticut shoreline? It’s beautiful—until your toes are frozen, your living room’s a wind tunnel, and your heating bill reads like a ransom note.

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Here’s the good news: you don’t need to crank the heat or go broke just to stay warm. These quick, cheap (or totally free) fixes will help you fight back against drafts and cold spots—without calling the oil guy twice a week.

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1. Stop Drafts at the Door (Cost: $0–$15)

Drafty doors and windows are like open invites for cold air. Even tiny gaps can make your furnace work overtime.

✔ Free fix: Roll up a towel and stuff it at the bottom of your door. Not glamorous, but it works.
✔ Budget fix: Grab a door sweep or some weatherstripping from the hardware store—usually under 15 bucks. Seal it, and feel the difference.

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2. Use Curtains Like a Pro (Cost: $0–$20)

Curtains aren’t just for blocking nosy neighbors—they can help trap heat, too.

✔ Open them during the day on south-facing windows to soak up that free sunlight.
✔ Close them at night to keep the warmth inside.
✔ Pro tip: Thick thermal curtains work best, but even an old blanket pinned up gets the job done in a pinch.

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3. Flip Your Ceiling Fan (Cost: Free!)

Ceiling fan in winter? Yep—just flip the switch.

✔ Set it to clockwise on low, and it’ll push warm air back down where you actually live (instead of letting it camp out by the ceiling).

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4. Seal Outlets and Light Switches (Cost: $5–$10 a room)

Believe it or not, cold air can sneak in through your electrical outlets. No joke.

✔ Pick up some foam gaskets (they’re cheap). Pop off the outlet cover, stick the gasket on, and screw the cover back. Boom—draft sealed.

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5. Check Your Vents (Cost: Free!)

If you’ve got a couch parked over your vent or a bed blocking a radiator, you’re literally heating your furniture.

✔ Move stuff away from vents and radiators so that warm air can actually move around the room like it’s supposed to.

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6. Layer Rugs Like a Pro (Cost: $0–$30)

Hardwood and tile floors might look nice, but they’re iceboxes in the winter.

✔ Got extra rugs? Throw them down.
✔ Don’t have any? Find a used one for cheap—it adds insulation and keeps your feet from turning into popsicles.

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7. Close Off Unused Rooms (Cost: Free!)

Why heat the guest room no one’s using or the laundry dungeon you dread walking into?

✔ Close the doors to unused rooms. Keep the warm air where you actually hang out.

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8. Add Moisture to the Air (Cost: Free–$20+)

Dry winter air = cold-feeling air. Add a little humidity and the same temperature suddenly feels way more comfortable.

✔ Free fix: Place a bowl of water near a heat source (like a radiator).
✔ Cheap fix: Pick up a humidifier for 20 bucks or less. Aim for 30–50% humidity.

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9. Bake Something—and Leave the Oven Door Open (Cost: Free + Cookies)

Old-school move: when you’re done baking, turn off the oven and crack the door open.

✔ That residual heat will warm the kitchen.
✔ Bonus: your house smells like cookies, which is basically peak winter happiness.

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10. Want a Long-Term Fix? Insulate. (Cost: Varies—but worth it)

All the hacks above help, but nothing beats proper insulation for long-term comfort and energy savings.

✔ Our cellulose insulation seals out drafts, holds heat like a champ, and helps your heating system chill out. Fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation also work!

✔ It’s fire-resistant, pest-resistant (shoutout to borate), and made from 85% recycled materials.

✔ Keeps shoreline homes cozy without needing to mortgage the oil tank.

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Warmth Without Wasting Cash

If you’re looking to stay warm without burning through your paycheck, start with these simple, DIY tricks. And when you’re ready for a permanent upgrade that pays for itself? Give us a shout.

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👉 Contact Nealon Insulation for a free consultation and let’s make your home winter-ready—for real.

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P.s. Calculate how much R-Value your home needs

Living near the Connecticut shoreline is the dream—until you hear scratching in your walls at 2 a.m. and realize you've got unexpected roommates. Cute in cartoons, a nightmare in real life. Mice don’t just raid your pantry and chew wires—they can wreck insulation, carry disease, and turn your attic into their Airbnb.

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If you’ve been battling these little freeloaders, here’s how to keep them out—and how the right insulation can be a serious game-changer.

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1. Seal the Sneaky Entrances

Mice are escape artists. If there’s a hole the size of a dime, they’re getting in. Air sealing is critical.

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Start by checking:

✔ Around pipes and utility lines
✔ Cracks in your foundation or siding
✔ Gaps under doors and garage frames
✔ Openings in attic vents and eaves

Fix it with: steel wool, caulk, hardware cloth—stuff they can’t chew through. Skip the spray foam; they’ll just gnaw through it like it’s a snack.

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2. Cut Off the Buffet

Mice aren’t just looking for shelter—they’re sniffing out snacks.

✔ Store dry food in glass or metal containers.
✔ Clean up crumbs and spills immediately (yep, even the ones behind the toaster).
✔ Keep trash sealed tight.
✔ Don’t leave pet food out overnight—unless you're feeding the mouse too.

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3. Clear the Clutter

Mice love cozy, quiet hiding spots. That pile of boxes in the basement? Prime real estate.

✔ Declutter storage areas—less junk, fewer hideouts.
✔ Keep firewood and yard debris away from your foundation.
✔ Trim back shrubs and tree limbs that let them scale your house like a jungle gym.

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4. Rethink Your Insulation (Seriously)

Here’s what most people don’t realize: your insulation could be a mouse hotel.
Fiberglass? Feels like a warm sleeping bag to a rodent. They tunnel through it, nest in it, and trash it.

But cellulose insulation—especially the kind we install at Nealon—is a whole different story.

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Why Cellulose Insulation Keeps Mice Away:

✔ It’s treated with borate, a natural mineral that pests hate.
✔ Mice won’t nest in it. Doesn’t feel cozy. Doesn’t smell right.
✔ It’s dense and air-sealing, which means fewer gaps for critters to sneak through.
✔ Bonus: It’s energy-efficient and eco-friendly—so you’re saving money and solving a mouse problem.

If you’ve got activity in your attic or walls, upgrading your insulation could be the long-term fix you didn’t know you needed.

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5. Handle What’s Already Inside

Already hearing scurrying overhead? Time to evict.

✔ Snap traps – Old-school but effective.
✔ Live traps – Good if you’re the humane type (but take them far away).
✔ Call the pros – If the situation’s out of control, bring in a pest control expert. No shame in it.

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Shoreline Homes Deserve Better Than Mice

We’ve been insulating homes around the Connecticut shoreline since 1977, and trust me—we’ve seen what mice can do. If your insulation’s trashed, or you’re tired of patching holes every winter, it’s time for a real solution.

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👉 Contact Nealon Insulation today for a free consultation—and let’s seal the place up for good.

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When choosing insulation, energy efficiency is just one factor to consider. If you want to reduce your home's carbon footprint, it's important to look at the environmental impact of the insulation materials themselves. Some insulation types require more energy to produce, while others are made from recycled or renewable materials with a lower carbon impact.

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The Best Low-Carbon Insulation Options

A few insulation materials have an extremely low environmental impact, but they are not widely available in Connecticut:

• Cork – A natural, renewable material that provides good insulation and soundproofing. However, it’s expensive and not commonly used in residential insulation.
• Hempcrete – Made from hemp fibers and lime, hempcrete is breathable, mold-resistant, and has a negative carbon footprint. However, it’s more common in specialized eco-friendly construction.
• Straw Bale – This renewable insulation has excellent thermal performance, but it requires specific building methods and is rarely used in existing homes.

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The Best Practical Choice: Cellulose Insulation

While cork, hempcrete, and straw bale have great sustainability benefits, they are not widely available or practical for most homeowners. The best low-carbon insulation choice that balances performance, affordability, and sustainability is cellulose insulation.

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According to Green Maine Homes, cellulose insulation has the lowest carbon footprint of the commonly available insulation options. Here’s why:

• Made from 85% recycled paper – Unlike fiberglass or foam, cellulose is primarily composed of recycled materials, reducing landfill waste.
• Low energy production – It requires far less energy to manufacture compared to fiberglass or spray foam, meaning lower emissions.
• Excellent thermal performance – By reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, cellulose helps lower energy use and carbon emissions.
• Biodegradable and non-toxic – Unlike spray foam, which contains petroleum-based chemicals, cellulose is a safer, eco-friendly option.

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Why Choose Nealon Insulation?

At Nealon Insulation, we specialize in cellulose insulation, making homes along the Connecticut shoreline more energy-efficient while reducing environmental impact. With 48 years of experience, we understand how to properly insulate homes to maximize comfort and savings while using sustainable materials.

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If you want to insulate your home with an eco-friendly, high-performance material, contact Nealon Insulation today to learn more about cellulose insulation!

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👉 Contact Nealon Insulation to reduce your carbon footprint and stay cozy in the winter.

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Credit for picture: https://greenmainehomes.com/blog/choosing-the-right-insulation