Residential & Commercial Insulation Contractor Blog

Fall Into Savings: The Benefits of Insulation Inspection and Updates

Hello again, fellow Earth advocates and cozy home enthusiasts! At The Green Cocoon, we're not just about helping you stay comfortable; we're also here to ensure you're living in an energy-efficient and eco-friendly space. And guess what? Fall is the perfect time to take a closer look at your insulation.

Why Fall, You Ask?

Well, as the leaves change and the temperature starts to dip, your home's insulation becomes more critical than ever. It's during this season that we often discover where your home is losing valuable heat. Those chilly drafts and high heating bills? Yep, they're often symptoms of inadequate insulation.

The Inspection Process: Shedding Light on Heat Loss

Our insulation inspection process is like a detective story. We use cutting-edge technology to uncover the areas where heat is escaping and drafts are sneaking in. From your attic to your walls and crawl spaces, no nook or cranny goes unnoticed.

Eco-Friendly Recommendations: Customized Just for You

Once we've identified the culprits, we don our eco-warrior capes and get to work. We always prioritize recommending the most eco-friendly insulation solutions possible. Our go-to options include open-cell spray foam, cellulose, and mineral wool insulation, all of which are incredibly effective and Earth-friendly.

But, here's the deal: Sometimes, we find that fiberglass insulation is a necessary addition to certain areas, especially when budget constraints are a concern. While fiberglass isn't the greenest option out there, we believe in balance and working with you to find the best solution for your specific needs. It's all part of our commitment to People, Planet, and Performance.

The Science of Savings

Let's talk numbers for a moment. Our eco-friendly spray foam, for example, is up to 70% more energy-efficient than traditional fiberglass insulation. That's a significant difference in your monthly energy bills and your overall carbon footprint. But, as mentioned earlier, there are instances where fiberglass plays a role, especially in garages or out-buildings, where cost-saving measures may be a top priority.

Tailored to Your Needs

At The Green Cocoon, we're not a one-size-fits-all kind of crew. We work closely with you to find the perfect balance between eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Our goal is to ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible while respecting your budget.

So, why wait? This fall, let's embark on a journey to make your home cozier, greener, and more energy-efficient than ever before. Our insulation inspection and recommendations will not only keep you warm during the chilly months but also help reduce your energy costs, all while being mindful of our beloved planet.

Give us a call, and together, we'll turn your home into an eco-friendly cocoon of comfort.

The Hidden Dangers of Vermiculite

Home Maintenance Tips

For those of you that know any of us here at The Green Cocoon, you know we’re passionate about what we do and how we do it. We also aim to spread knowledge and promote safety in our beloved homes.

Today, we’re addressing a silent threat lurking within the walls (and attics and basements) of many older houses: vermiculite. While it may sound innocent, this seemingly harmless material can pose significant health risks if mishandled. In this article, we’ll shed light on the dangers of vermiculite, discuss how covering it with insulation can exacerbate the problem, and emphasize the crucial importance of seeking professional assistance in dealing with this potential hazard.

Understanding Vermiculite:

Vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral used in insulation and gardening, might be present in your home if it was built before the 1990s. While it served as an effective insulator due to its lightweight and fire-resistant properties, it was later discovered that some vermiculite deposits contained asbestos fibers—a known carcinogen.

The Hidden Danger:

Asbestos is a microscopic fiber that, when inhaled, can lead to severe health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The real danger lies in the fact that vermiculite contaminated with asbestos may not be immediately identifiable. It can resemble harmless attic insulation or be concealed within walls, putting you and your loved ones at risk without your knowledge.

Covering Vermiculite – A Common Misstep:

Now, let’s discuss an often-misunderstood solution that can worsen the situation—covering vermiculite with additional insulation. While the intention may be to reduce exposure, it can have unintended consequences. Encapsulating the contaminated material can disturb it, causing asbestos fibers to become airborne and spread throughout your home, leading to a more extensive contamination issue. This inadvertent disturbance can increase the risk of exposure and exacerbate the health hazards associated with vermiculite.

The Need for Professional Assistance:

When it comes to dealing with vermiculite, our strongest advice is to leave it to the professionals. Trained asbestos abatement experts have the necessary expertise and equipment to handle the situation safely. Attempting to remove or disturb vermiculite yourself can lead to inadvertent asbestos fiber release and put your health at risk. A professional will conduct a thorough assessment, develop a safe remediation plan, and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to minimize exposure risks for you and your family.

Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us. Vermiculite contaminated with asbestos can pose significant health risks, and it is crucial to approach the issue with caution. Rather than attempting to handle the situation on your own, we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance. By doing so, you can trust that experts will safely manage the removal or encapsulation process, reducing the risks of asbestos fiber release and safeguarding your home and loved ones.

Remember, knowledge is power. Share this information with others to raise awareness about the dangers of vermiculite and promote the importance of professional involvement. Together, we can create safer and healthier living environments for everyone.

Stay safe, stay informed, and never hesitate to seek professional help when it comes to protecting what matters most—your home and your loved ones.

Team Members Attain Project Manager Certification at the 2023 SprayFoam Convention

News and Awards

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VP Candace Lord spoke on how to use an assistant to increase sales instead of hiring a new sales person.

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Company now poised to become SPFA accredited

Three team members from The Green Cocoon recently attended the 2023 SprayFoam Convention and Expo in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Convention was held February 12-15 at the Ocean Center. The SPFA’s Professional Certification Program ran a few days before the Convention. And, our owner Jim Materkowski and our VP Candace Lord, both passed their SPFA Insulation Project Manager exams with flying colors!

Learning opportunities

The Convention was an opportunity for industry leaders to come together and receive the latest information on everything spray foam. There were four days of events, and breakout sessions, such as “Spray Foam and Risk Management: Best Practices,” “New Technologies in SPF,” “Advanced Benefits of Spray Polyurethane Foam,” and “A View of Your Rig Through the Eyes of an OSHA Inspector.”

Two team members earn project manager certification

Mike Materkowski, SPFA Master Installer, The Green Cocoon, Insulation in Salisbury, Mass. — Mike Materkowski, SPFA Insulation Master Installer

As mentioned, there were opportunities to become certified at different levels in the insulation industry. This was done through the SPFA’s Professional Certification Program. Since The Green Cocoon already has an SPF Insulation Master Installer, Mike Materkowski, and now two Project Managers (Candace and Jim), they are poised to become an SPFA Accredited company. The Contractor C ompa ny Accreditation Program is specifically designed for contractor companies involved in the application/installation of SPF in insulation and roofing projects.

Company to become accredited

“We will be one of, if not the only accredited insulation company within a one-hundred-mile radius of our office in Salisbury,” said Lord. “We are fortunate to have certified sprayers and project managers. That is a wonderful accomplishment!”

Learn more about The Green Cocoon on their website, thegreencocoon.com.

Show Your Home Love This Valentine’s Day

News and Awards

Valentine’s Day is here! While you are showing your loved ones some extra care today, don’t forget to do the same for your home! Show your home some love this Valentine’s Day!

Here are five ways you can show your home some love this Valentine’s Day.

Check the seals. Gaps in the seals on your doors and windows can compromise your home’s thermal envelope and invite unwanted moisture as well as pests into your home.
Replace worn weather stripping around doors and windows. Did you know that worn weather stripping can create drafts and let cold air in? This puts a high demand on your furnace and takes away your comfort. Replacing it takes little time and is a low-cost, high-impact solution.
Change your furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter means less efficiency and that costs money! Check your furnace filter monthly and if it’s dirty, change it or have it changed. Moreover, have a technician come in and inspect the entire furnace at least once per year.
Update light bulbs to LEDs to save money. LED is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs—especially ENERGY STAR rated products—use at least 75 percent less energy, and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting (energy.gov).
Add an automatic thermostat. You can save money and increase energy efficiency on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. You can do this automatically, without sacrificing comfort, by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

In short, there are many steps you can take to make your home warmer and more energy efficient. Contact us to see how!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Green Cocoon Offers Financing Through Hearth

Financing

The Green Cocoon (TGC) has partnered with Hearth, a San Francisco-based company offering various financing options that can save consumers thousands of dollars during their home renovations. TGC is working with Hearth to help you find financing options that best fit your needs.

Make smarter financial decisions

The new financing options help homeowners make smart financial decisions about their renovations. Also, they show homeowners how to craft an accurate budget for their remodels.

Helping you during this pandemic

“We learned about Hearth while researching financing companies,” said James Materkowski, owner and president of The Green Cocoon. “Offering financing allows a homeowner to pay for their project with predictable, monthly payments without tapping into the equity of their home.”

The new financial tool can check rates in under two minutes and loans are typically funded in one to five days. One exciting feature is the no prepayment penalty option. You can pay off the loan early with no additional fees!

If you’ve been considering upgrading the insulation in your home, download our flyer to learn more about this exciting new financing option. No matter what time of year it is, now is the time to act. Our schedule fills up quickly! Apply for financing today!

Insulation Contractor Licensing: None Required?

Insulation Tips

Train Your Employees!

Did you know that the spray foam industry is not regulated and that there are no licensing requirements? Consumers and contractors need to be careful when they hire an insulation company. They should ask, “What are the company’s credentials?” “What certifications and licenses do they have?” Even though it’s not required, companies should have some kind of training program for their employees. Insulation contractor licensing is not required. Why not?

Get Certified

At The Green Cocoon, Senior Spray Foam Division Crew Leader Mike is an SPFA Master Installer (Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance). That is the third highest level of SPFA insulation certification. Being SPFA certified is a big deal. The SPFA developed its Professional Certification Program (PCP) in 2012. It increases the quality of installations. “The SPFA and industry leaders came together in the Best Practices Risk Management Working Group and recommended the development of a certification program developed by the industry, for the industry.” (sprayfoam.org)

SPFA Training

The SPFA PCP is the only one of its kind for the professional SPF industry. It is the first in the U.S. that is ISO 17024 compliant—standards driven and internationally recognized.

In February, Mike and VP Candace Lord will receive the final level of training and certification, which is project manager.

There are four levels to the Insulation Certification program:

Level 1 – SPF Assistant
Level 2 – SPF Insulation Installer
Level 3 – SPF Insulation Master Installer
Level 4 – SPF Insulation Project Manager

In fact, most of the employees at The Green Cocoon have some sort of third-party certification. This sets us apart from our competition. We don’t just spray foam. Our team gets the job done right the first time because of their training. And, that training is backed by a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry. Our goal is to reduce the probability of an issue on the job.

In-House Training Program

Similarly, we created our own internal training program. Written by some of our Master Installers, this program is extremely in-depth and structured. Thus, when our team arrives at your home, you can be sure we know what we are doing!

Remember, when you need an insulation company for your next project, make sure to do your homework. And, make sure to ask the right questions! Contact us and we will answer them.

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