Best home insulation?

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doctorjj

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I wouldn't worry too much about a perfect seal on can lights in the ceiling if you have 14 inches of blown in insulation over the top of them. Also most houses built in OK for the last 10 years have Zip Board exterior sheathing that is taped at every joint, crack, door, and window, and if you pay for the super caulk package that makes the house envelope pretty darn tight.
That does nothing to seal the attic where can lights would be losing air. And those measures only work if done correctly, which blower door testing has shown that it’s typically not done correctly.
 

rawhide

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I have owned my own construction business for 25 years and have always used blown in insulation in the walls and ceilings. I looked at like the foam was about 20% better but about 80% more expensive and would rather spend the savings on nicer windows and a Super Caulk Package. Disadvantages of the foam are if you ever need to ad and outlet or IT wire in the walls you are screwed and foaming the under side of the deck makes it really difficult if there is a leak and you need to replace decking. My house is 3200 sf with high ceilings and big windows and we are on a well and aerobic system and have landscape lighting on the front and both sides and my electric bills are about 90 bucks a month except July and August may get up to $200 and I'm satisfied with that.
What HVAC system do you have?
 

doctorjj

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I have owned my own construction business for 25 years and have always used blown in insulation in the walls and ceilings. I looked at like the foam was about 20% better but about 80% more expensive and would rather spend the savings on nicer windows and a Super Caulk Package. Disadvantages of the foam are if you ever need to ad and outlet or IT wire in the walls you are screwed and foaming the under side of the deck makes it really difficult if there is a leak and you need to replace decking. My house is 3200 sf with high ceilings and big windows and we are on a well and aerobic system and have landscape lighting on the front and both sides and my electric bills are about 90 bucks a month except July and August may get up to $200 and I'm satisfied with that.
What all does the Super Caulk package include? What are the blower door test results of a super caulk package home vs non super caulk package home?
 

kroberts2131

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I just built a new home in 2018. I rarely see an electric bill under $100 in this thing. We do have an large open area where the upstairs overlooks down with open stairwell also but I still don't think that area should make it so high. Shaw homes probably cut corners and went as cheap as possible.
 

soonerwings

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So much good info in this thread. I’m having a house built (should break ground soon) and I’ve opted for spray foamed 2 x 4 exterior walls and a couple of air sourced heat pumps (dual fuel).


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NightShade

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New video just popped up and boy does it look like a game changer for insulating and studs. Have not even finished watching it but an R20 stud vs an R6 is killer. And the way they were able to build the headers was great too. It's basically building with a gaped or staggered stud without all the extra work.



Holly crap, 24 inch centers and stronger than a standard 2X6 wall. Add spray foam and it will stand up to debris in 100 mph winds as well. Very interesting development. For those too lazy to type here is a link https://www.tstud.com/
 
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