What Our Clients Say about Us...

 

I would highly rate John and AppleBlossom Insulators. John is the owner and the person that I dealt with from the first call to the completed project. Our job and attic was a very difficult job due to the tight quarters and age of the house, the heat, and the animal droppings. John was great. He returned my calls very promptly, and he was timely with meeting for a quote. Our job had some minor setbacks and complications; however, John was very timely in correcting those and was genuine in his concern for our satisfaction. He is a great example to the commitment to excellence of a small business owner. I am delighted with the finished product and the man that stands for the company.

~ Donna B.
Charlotte, NC

John was very professional and easy to talk to. He was very honest with me and helped me choose the best quality insulation for the budget I had. His crew was fast, precise and did an excellent job cleaning up. I will definitely use them in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an insulator or trying to become energy efficient.

~ Paul S.
Charlotte, NC

The entire process was very easy. His prices are VERY competitive and his work superior. Anywhere my furniture or doorways came into contact with his equipment, they were protected. I had no marks anywhere. This man knows what he is doing, and he does it right the first time... no cutting corners. I would recommend him highly!

~ Troy C.
Charlotte, NC

AppleBlossom did a great job and I would highly recommend this company. The owner, John Meeks, was professional and prompt. He called us to make sure we were happy with the job his crew did, and he even asked his crew to come back and adjust the attic dam to make it easier for us to access the attic. The final cost was lower than the estimate, and I feel like I got more than my money's worth.

~ Christine D.
Charlotte, NC

They were prompt, professional and very knowledgeable. They did a very thorough job and the crew members were very hard workers! I am very satisfied.

~ Pamela W.
Albemarle, NC

Education

Glossary/Terms

AppleBlossom carries and will install a wide variety of insulation. We continually look for cutting edge products and services, especially when those products and services will save our clients money and are environmentally sustainable. The following information includes an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of various types of insulation as well as an explanation of the concept of embodied energy. We hope this information will inform your insulation decisions!

Insulation Types

Here is a brief description of insulation types currently in use in the insulation industry.

  • Natural
    • Stabilized Cellulose

      Made from 85% post consumer products, stabilized cellulose insulation is typically comprised of newsprint and corrugated cardboard. There is both stabilized and non-stabilized cellulose, but at AppleBlossom, we use Nu Wool Premium Cellulose exclusively because it offers very little settling and superior density.

      As a loose fill material applied in attics, baffles are installed to keep the material away from soffit vents. The baffles will also prevent wind from entering the soffit vents and blowing through the insulation. Light fixtures should not be covered with cellulose unless they are rated to accept insulation. Our Premium Cellulose is very effective when it is wet-blown in wall cavities for its' insulating properties as well as pest deterrence, sound deadening and fire retardation properties. Learn more about Cellulose Insulation here.

    • Cellulose Batts

      Cellulose batts are made from post-consumer recycled newspaper and cardboard. These types of insulation are recyclable and safe to install, as they are made from a non-hazardous fiber. Cellulose batts are biodegradable, and they are treated with additives to increase fire retardancy and a fungicide to prevent mold growth.

    • Cellulose Boards

      Cellulose boards can be used in any area that calls for acoustical or thermal treatment, and they can be covered with fabric or other decorative materials to blend with the space's design. These boards are made with 65-85% recycled materials. Cellulose boards present a GREEN solution for acoustical and thermal materials.

  • Non-Natural
    • Petro Chemical

      These insulation types are manufactured from petroleum and other chemicals. These products have very high embodied energy, and in our opinion, they contribute greatly to Global Warming and Pollution.

      For more information about how these and other plastic based products are effecting our planet, check out the BBC documentary "Message in the Waves."

      • Open Cell Foam

        Open Cell foam insulation such as Icynene can be applied to walls and in attics. It offers a lower R-Value of 3.5, especially when compared to our Cellulose at 3.8. This foam is flammable and must be covered with a flame retardant if attics where it is applied will be used for storage. The recommended thickness for exterior walls is 3.5 - 5.5 inches. Installers must be trained to use this product as it can be lethal if it isn't handled with proper care.

      • Closed Cell Foam

        Closed Cell foam insulation offers R-values of over 7 per inch and is the highest R-Value available. It is applied in the same manner as open cell foam. The material contains a lot of water, which requires a drying period before a wall can be closed. The material is easily crumbled when dry.

      • Air Seal Foam

        Air seal foam is used as an air sealant. A 6% expanding foam is installed around all windows and doors as well as any small bypasses where it is appropriate.

    • Other
      • Fiberglass

        Fiberglass insulation is usually pink or yellow, and it is made in batts or blown in. Fiberglass is a spun glass insulation product that is widely used in home building. Relatively inexpensive to install, it is what everyone thinks of when the word 'insulation' is discussed. Fiberglass was originally used as a safe substitute to asbestos; however, because the product is made from, in some cases, up to 20% recycled glass; there is currently some debate on the overall safety of the product. While it's safety is debatable, it is important to handle this product with care. Additionally, if fiberglass insulation gets wet, it will breed un-safe microorganisms.

      • Mineral Wool

        The term "mineral wool" typically refers to two types of insulation material:

        • Rock wool is a man-made material consisting of natural minerals like basalt or diabase.
        • Slag wool is a man-made material from blast furnace slag (the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal).

        These products generally contain an average of 75% post-industrial recycled content. They are fire resistant, and they can be used in two different forms: blanket (batts and rolls) and loose-fill.

      • Reflectives

        Reflectives are a lightweight products that is usually called bubble-foil or foil-bubble-foil and consists of a layer of polyethylene bubble that is sandwiched between layers of foil. A radiant barrier reflects radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it. This product can be used as a Radiant Barrier along pitch lines (reflecting up to 97% of all radiant energy) and as a Vapor Barrier in crawl spaces (it is 100% waterproof). It can provide Class A/Class 1 Fire Rating and reduces ice dam potential.

      • Foam Board

        Foam Board is used mainly in sealing crawl spaces, building attic damn, and seals. R-values range from R-4 to R-20.

  • Additional Definitions and Acronyms

    • Accreditation Procedures
      The set of standards and procedures entitled "Mortgage Industry National Accreditation Procedures for Home Energy Rating Systems" as published and maintained by RESNET.

    • Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE
      A standardized measure of heating system efficiency, based on the ratio of annual output energy to annual input energy that includes any non-heating season pilot input loss.

    • Auxiliary Electric Consumption
      The annual auxiliary electrical energy consumption for a fossil fuel fired furnace or boiler in kilowatt-hours per year, derived from the Eae as follows:

      • Auxiliary Electric Consumption (kWh/yr) = Eae * (HLH) / 2080)
        where: HLH = annual heating load hours seen by the furnace/boiler
        - Note: If fan power is needed (kW), it is determined by Eae / 2080.
    • Bedroom
      A room or space 70 square feet or greater, with egress window and closet, used or intended to be used for sleeping. A "den." "library," "home office" with a closet, egress window, and 70 square feet or greater or other similar rooms shall count as a bedroom, but living rooms and foyers shall not.
    • Biomass Fuel
      Non-liquid and non-gaseous combustible substance burned to create energy, such as chunk wood, wood chips, corn husks, etc.
    • Biomass System
      A biomass fuel combustion device and all associated mechanisms, controls, venting, and heat delivery components designed to provide space heating.
    • Climate zone
      A geographical area defined as having similar long-term climate conditions.
    • COP
      Coefficient of Performance, which is the ratio of the rate of heat delivered to the rate of energy input, in consistent units, for a complete heat pump system under designated operating conditions.
    • Conditioned Floor Area (CFA)
      The finished floor area in square feet of a home that is conditioned by heating or cooling systems, measured in accordance with ANSI Standard Z765-2003 with exceptions as specified in Appendix A of this Standard.
    • Conditioned space boundary
      The continuous planes of the building envelope that comprise the primary thermal and air flow barrier between the directly or indirectly conditioned space and either the outdoors or an adjacent unconditioned space.
    • Confirmed Rating
      An energy rating accomplished using data gathered from an on-site audit inspection and, if required, performance testing of the physical building and its installed systems and equipment.
    • Detached One- and Two-Family Dwelling
      A building with one or two independent dwelling units with an individual or central HVAC system.
    • Directly Conditioned Space
      An enclosed space having heating equipment with a capacity exceeding 10 Btu/hr-ft2, or cooling equipment with a capacity exceeding to 10 Btu/hr-ft2. An exception is if the heating and cooling equipment is designed and thermostatically controlled to maintain a process environment temperature less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit for the whole space the equipment serves.
    • Distribution System Efficiency
      A system efficiency factor, not included in manufacturer's performance ratings for heating and cooling equipment, that adjusts for the energy losses associated with the delivery of energy from the equipment to the source of the load, such energy losses associated with heat transfer across duct or piping walls and air leakage to or from forced air distribution systems.
    • EAE
      The average annual auxiliary electrical energy consumption for a gas furnace or boiler in kilowatt-hours per year as published in the GAMA Consumer's Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings.
    • Energy Analysis Tool
      A computerized calculation procedure for determining a home's energy efficiency rating and estimating annual purchased energy consumption and cost.
    • Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER
      the ratio of net equipment cooling capacity in Btu/h to total rate of electric input in watts under designated operating conditions.
    • Energy Efficiency Rating or Energy Rating
      An unbiased indication of a home's relative energy performance based on consistent inspection procedures, operating assumptions, climate data and calculation methods.
    • Energy Factor or EF
      A standardized measure of water heater energy efficiency as determined under Department of Energy Regulations, 10 CFR 430.23(e)(2)(ii).
    • Energy Saving Measure or Feature
      Any material, component, device, system, construction method, process or combination thereof that will result in a reduction of energy use.
    • EPAct
      The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992
    • Equivalent Electric Power
      The amount of electricity that would be produced from site fossil fuel uses when converted to electrical power using the Reference Electricity Production Efficiency.
    • Estimated Annual Energy Cost Savings
      Positive dollar difference between estimated annual energy costs for an improved existing home as compared with the same home in its original condition or for a new home, as compared with the HERS Reference Home, local code or, for the purposes of Fannie Mae mortgages, the RESNET representation of the 1993 Model Energy Code, whichever is applicable.
    • Exposed Wal
      Walls subjected to heat loss or gain.
    • Fenestration
      A glazed opening and its associated sash and framing that is installed into a building.
    • Standards (HERS Standards)
      Minimum criteria that a HERS Provider must meet in order to receive accreditation
    • HERS
      Home Energy Rating System
    • HERS-BESTEST
      The Home Energy Ratings System Building Energy Simulation Test published as NREL Report No. NREL/TP-472-7332
    • HERS Index
      A numerical integer value that represents the relative energy use of a Rated Home as compared with the energy use of the HERS Reference Home and where an Index value of 100 represents the energy use of the HERS Reference Home and an Index value of 0 (zero) represents a home that uses zero net purchased energy.
    • HERS Provider
      A person or organization that develops, manages, and operates a home energy rating system.
    • Home
      A building with one or more dwelling units that has three or fewer stories above grade, or a single dwelling unit within a building of three or fewer stories above grade.
    • Home Energy Rater or Rater
      The person trained and certified by a Rating Provider to perform the functions of inspecting and analyzing a home to evaluate the minimum rated features and prepare an energy efficiency rating.
    • Home Energy Rating System or HERS
      The materials and procedures needed to operate a home energy rating program including but not limited to: marketing materials, training materials, publications, rating tool, quality control, data collection and maintenance, agreements, data collection sheets, home owner reports, and other related materials and services.
    • Heating Seasonal Performance Factor or HSPF
      A standardized measure of heat pump efficiency, based on the total heating output of a heat pump, in Btu, divided by the total electric energy input, in watt-hours, under test conditions specified by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Standard 210/240.
    • HVAC
      Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.
    • Indirectly Conditioned Space
      Enclosed space that is not directly conditioned:
      • (a) With area weighted heat transfer coefficient (U-value) to directly conditioned space exceeding that to the outdoors or to unconditioned spaces; or
      • (b) Through which air to or from directly conditioned spaces is transferred at a rate exceeding three air changes per hour.
    • Internal Gains
      The heat gains within a home attributable to lights, people, and miscellaneous equipment.
    • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
      The model code for building energy conservation as promulgated by the International Code Council.
    • Labeled Ceiling Fan
      A ceiling fan that has been labeled for efficiency in accordance with EPA guidelines such that the label shows the cfm, cfm/watt and watts of the fan at low, medium and high speeds
    • Labeled Ceiling Fan Standardized Watts (LCFSW)
      The power consumption in watts of a Labeled Ceiling Fan "standardized" to a medium speed air delivery of 3000 cfm.
    • Light Fixture
      A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps, and ballasting (when applicable) together with the parts designed to distribute the light, position and protect the lamps, and connect the lamps to the power supply. For built-in valence lighting, strings of low-voltage halogens, and track lights, each individual bulb shall count as a fixture.
    • Model Energy Code: 1993 (MEC '93)
      The building energy code as promulgated by the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) in 1992 as amended in 1993. The RESNET representation of MEC '93 is the HERS Reference home as defined in the "Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards" dated 1999.
    • Mechanical Ventilation System
      A fan designed to exchange the air in the house with outside air, sized to provide whole-house service per ASHRAE 62.2, and controlled automatically (i.e. not requiring human intervention to turn on and off). The presence of a remote-mounted on-off switch or dedicated circuit breaker labeled "whole house ventilation" (or equivalent) shall not disqualify a system from meeting the requirement of automatic control.
    • NREL
      National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
    • On-site Power Production (OPP)
      Electric power produced at the site of a Rated Home. OPP shall be the net electrical power production, such that it equals the gross electrical power production minus any purchased fossil fuel energy, converted to its Equivalent Electric Power, used to produce the on-site power.
    • Projected Rating
      A rating performed prior to the construction of a new building or prior to implementation of energy-efficiency improvements to an existing building.
    • Purchased Energy
      The portion of the total energy requirement of a home purchased from a utility or other energy supplier.
    • Purchased Energy Fraction (PEfrac)
      The fraction of the total energy consumption of the Rated Home that is purchased energy, wherein all site fossil energy uses are converted to their Equivalent Electric Power using the Reference Electricity Production Efficiency of 40%.
    • Qualifying Light Fixture
      A light fixture located in a Qualified Light Fixture location and comprised of any of the following components:
      • a) fluorescent hard-wired (i.e. pin-based) lamps with ballast
      • b) screw-in compact fluorescent bulb(s) or
      • c) light fixture controlled by a photocell and motion sensor.
    • Qualifying Light Fixture Locations
      For the purposes of rating, those light fixtures located in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, family rooms/dens, bathrooms, hallways, stairways, entrances, bedrooms, garage, utility rooms, home offices, and all outdoor fixtures mounted on a building or pole. This excludes plug-in lamps, closets, unfinished basements, and landscape lighting.
    • Rated Home
      The specific home being evaluated using the rating procedures and Standards contained in this document.
    • Rating Index
      See HERS Index
    • Rating Tool
      A computerized procedure for calculating a home's energy efficiency rating, annual energy consumption, and annual energy costs.
    • Reference Electricity Production Efficiency
      Electric power production efficiency, including all production and distribution losses, of 40%, approximating the efficiency of a modern, high-efficiency, central power plant. The Reference Electricity Production Efficiency is to be used only to convert site fossil fuel energy uses to an Equivalent Electric Power for the sole purposes of providing home energy rating system credit for On-site Power Production.
    • Reference Home
      A hypothetical home configured in accordance with the specifications set forth in Section 303.4 of these Standards.
    • RESNET
      Residential Energy Services Network
    • R-Value
      thermal resistance value measured in h-ft2-F/Btu.
    • Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER
      A standardized measure of air conditioner efficiency based on the total cooling output of an air conditioner in Btu/h, divided by the total electric energy input, in watt-hours, under test conditions specified by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Standard 210/240.
    • Standard Ceiling Fan
      The ceiling fan against which Labeled Ceiling Fans are measured for efficiency. At medium fan speed, the Standard Ceiling Fan produces 3000 cfm of air flow and consumes uses 42.6 watts of power.
    • Thermal Boundary Wall
      Any wall that separates directly or indirectly conditioned space from unconditioned space or ambient conditions.
    • Above-Grade Thermal Boundary Wall
      Any thermal boundary wall, or portion of such wall, not in contact with soil.
    • Thermal Storage Mass
      Materials or equipment incorporated into a home that will store heat, produced by renewable or non-renewable energy, for release at a later time.
    • Typical Meteorological Year or TMY Data
      Hourly climate data published by the National Climatic Center, Asheville, NC, based on historical climate data in 216 locations.
    • U-Value
      Thermal transmittance value measured in Btu/h-ft2-F