CASE STUDY
INSULATION RECOMMENDED FOR A COLD AND DRAFTY CARLTON, MN HOME
A Carlton, MN homeowner was struggling with cold indoor temperatures and rising energy costs. DBS recommended a comprehensive insulation solution to improve comfort and help maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the home.
These homeowners in Carlton, MN reached out to DBS concerned over issues with their home’s overall energy. They were experiencing uncomfortable conditions during winter months, yet paying high energy bills.
A Dr. Energy Saver® Design Specialist went to the home and provided a free, no-obligation estimate for the insulation project. It was suggested that the rim joists in the basement would be sprayed with closed cell spray foam insulation, and the walls would have our SilverGlo™ insulation. This would seal the space from air and to keep the temperature at a more consistent level all year round.
Home Losing Heat? DBS Repair Fixes Insulation Problems That Cost You Money Every Month
Many homes across Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County, Hudson, River Falls, St. Croix County, Superior, Douglas County, Rice Lake, Barron County, Menomonie, and Dunn County are significantly under-insulated. Whether it is your attic, crawl space, basement, or walls, gaps in your insulation system make your heating and cooling equipment work harder than it should. DBS Repair delivers permanent insulation upgrades that lower energy bills and make Wisconsin homes more comfortable year-round.
Many Wisconsin Attics Are Under-Insulated, and It Shows Up on Every Energy Bill
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-49 to R-60 insulation for attics in northern climates like Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Hudson, River Falls, Superior, Rice Lake, Menomonie, and surrounding Wisconsin communities. Many existing homes fall far short of that standard, and the gap between what you have and what you need shows up directly on your utility bills.
- Many older homes have as little as R-19 in the attic, roughly one third of the recommended level for northern climates
- Heat moves naturally from warm to cool spaces, so an under-insulated attic bleeds warmth out of your home around the clock
- Heating and cooling systems work 25 to 40 percent harder when attic insulation is insufficient, driving up monthly energy costs
- Adding the right amount of attic insulation is one of the highest-return home performance upgrades available to homeowners
- DBS Repair performs a full insulation assessment to measure your current R-value and recommend the right solution for your home
R49 to R60
DOE recommended for northen climates
R19
What many existing homes actually have
Insulation Alone Will Not Stop Cold Drafts:
Why Air Sealing Is Just as Important
One of the most common and costly misconceptions in home performance is that adding more insulation will eliminate cold drafts. It will not. Insulation slows heat transfer but does nothing to block air movement. Without air sealing, your home is still leaking conditioned air every hour of the day.
- Gaps around plumbing penetrations, electrical wires, and recessed lights allow warm interior air to escape into the attic constantly
- The “stack effect” occurs when rising warm air escapes through the attic and pulls cold outside air in through gaps in lower levels of the home
- This continuous air exchange forces your HVAC system to condition far more outside air than it is designed to handle
- Air sealing those gaps before installing new insulation is the only way to fully eliminate drafts and stabilize indoor temperatures
- DBS Repair combines professional air sealing with insulation installation so your home performs as a complete thermal system
Moisture Is Destroying Your Existing Insulation From the Inside Out
Standard fiberglass batt insulation is highly vulnerable to moisture. Once it gets wet, it loses its insulating ability, becomes a breeding ground for mold, and eventually falls apart. If your home has fiberglass insulation in the attic or crawl space, there is a good chance moisture has already compromised it.
- Warm, humid air from bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces leaks into the attic where it condenses on cold surfaces
- Crawl spaces naturally draw in ground moisture, which condenses as humid air cools against cold surfaces and framing
- Fiberglass insulation absorbs moisture like a sponge, compresses under the added weight, and loses its R-value rapidly
- Wet, heavy insulation eventually falls from attic ceilings and crawl space floors in useless piles, leaving areas completely unprotected
- Moisture-damaged insulation creates the ideal damp environment for mold growth and accelerates wood rot in structural framing
- DBS Repair replaces failed fiberglass with waterproof, moisture-resistant alternatives engineered for Wisconsin homes in Eau Claire, Chippewa, St. Croix, Douglas, Barron, and Dunn counties
Cold Floors, Hot Spots, and Drafty Rooms:
The Hidden Insulation Gaps Wisconsin Contractors Often Miss
Insulation problems are not always obvious. Some of the most impactful heat loss in a home happens in areas that are easy to overlook during construction or renovation. If you have rooms that never quite reach a comfortable temperature, these are the most likely culprits.
- Floors above uninsulated attached garages or cantilevered overhangs are a leading cause of persistently cold rooms in the living space above
- Basement rim joists are one of the most significant sources of air leakage and heat loss in a home and are almost always under-addressed
- Leaving just 5 percent of a wall or ceiling cavity uninsulated can reduce that area’s total insulation performance by up to 50 percent
- Electrical wires and outlets in exterior walls compress fiberglass batts and create voids that eliminate insulation value in those spots
- Finished walls with missing or compressed insulation require specialized retrofit solutions that go beyond what standard batts can provide
- DBS Repair inspects every critical area, including rim joists, garage ceilings, cantilevered floors, and wall cavities, to ensure complete thermal coverage for Wisconsin homes
5%
Uninsulated area in a cavity
Up to 50%
Reduction in total insulation performance
Thumbs Up forIntegrity
Complete Wisconsin Home Insulation: Attic, Basement, Crawl Space, Walls and Air Sealing
Get It Fixed Now. Pay Over Time.
Serving Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County, Hudson, River Falls, St. Croix County, Superior, Douglas County, Rice Lake, Barron County, Menomonie, and Dunn County — qualify for competitive rates with no closing costs or hidden fees.
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DBS Repair has been keeping attics, basements, crawl spaces, and walls warm in winter and cool in summer with home insulation across Minnesota and Wisconsin,
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