Whether you’re building new construction or retrofitting an existing home, insulation is very important for energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and long-term energy savings. There are two main ways that contractors handle these types of home performance upgrades in Chicago: through a prescriptive or performance-based approach. While both are code-compliant, a performance-based approach provides the highest return on investment.
By hiring an insulation contractor who follows this methodology, you can achieve significant savings over time. Learn why this approach is so effective and how ARC Insulation’s 30+ year expertise can ensure your investment makes the most financial impact.
Prescriptive vs Performance-Based Approach
A prescriptive approach to insulation is based solely on what the building or energy codes say. If they say add X amount of insulation in the attic, that’s what a contractor does, no more and no less. While it’s compliant and passes inspection, this form of insulation analysis is based on assumptions. There’s no testing after the fact, so there’s no way for a contractor to know if their work achieved the intended result. They could add an impressive amount of insulation in the attic, but if there are substantial air leaks, it might not perform well.
A performance-based approach, on the other hand, is all about real-world use. Contractors still add enough insulation to be fully code-compliant. However, they go an extra step further by thoroughly testing the building’s performance. They prove that the amount of insulation they added is adequate.
At ARC Insulation, we start with a home energy assessment for our Chicagoland customers. We look at how the building performs as a whole, taking into account factors like:
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- Local climate and weather extremes
- Air and duct leakage
- HVAC system performance
- Building material insulation levels
- Trade-Offs Can Reduce Construction Costs
With a performance-based approach, contractors meet code by achieving a certain level of whole-home energy efficiency, rather than just strict R-values. In some cases, this allows them to make “trade-offs.” They can reduce insulation in some areas of the home by overinsulating other areas. As long as the building’s overall energy target is reached, it’s acceptable.
This is a great way to improve ROI with new construction. Builders have more flexibility with their design. For example, they could reduce costs by installing more affordable, but less insulated windows. They can compensate for this by increasing insulation in the attic space. They’ll still meet energy targets and maintain code compliance, but potentially at a lower upfront cost.
Maximizing Energy Savings and Efficiency
The biggest improvement to ROI comes from the performance-based approach’s long-term energy savings. Since the entire building envelope is thoroughly tested for HVAC performance, air leakage, and duct leakage, it’s more likely that the insulation will be effective because it’s been tested and proven. This results in:
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- Lower Utility Bills: When less energy is wasted, heated and cooled air stays in the home for longer. The HVAC system uses less fuel or electricity, significantly reducing utility costs over the years.
- Less Wear and Tear: A home that has been insulated with the prescriptive approach might waste more energy because it was never tested for performance. The HVAC system could end up running longer, increasing wear and resulting in more frequent repairs. A performance-based energy efficient home improvement can increase system longevity.
- Fewer Retrofit Improvements: When people have insulation installed with a prescriptive approach, they’re often disappointed with the performance. They end up making retrofit home performance upgrades in their Chicagoland home, which can be expensive. With the performance approach, insulation is done right the first time.
- Long-Term Lasting Comfort
A well-insulated home can be kept cooler in the winter and warmer during the summer without compromising comfort. Indoor temperatures stay more consistent, even during heat waves and blizzards. This reduces how much the heating and cooling system is used, cutting utility costs further.
In addition, a properly insulated home with a well-maintained HVAC system has more market value. If a homeowner ever wants to sell their residence, their initial investment in performance-based insulation will likely produce a higher ROI, usually within a few years.
ARC Insulation’s Building Envelope Experts
Most insulation companies take the prescriptive approach because it’s easier and simpler. There’s no testing post installation, so they add insulation quickly according to code and move on to the next project. At ARC Insulation, we’re not satisfied with our work until we test the building’s performance and prove that our services delivered the results our customers needed.
This makes us the top insulation company in Chicagoland and Naperville for performance-based insulation and air sealing services. We are building scientists who look beyond codes and who make intentional upgrades that measurably improve energy efficiency. Our family-owned company has been serving the region for over 30 years. Additionally, many of our experienced technicians have been with us for over a decade, and since 1993, we’ve served over 30,000 homes.
As a BPI Building Analyst and Building Envelope Professional, you can trust that our team has the in-depth knowledge of home performance and energy codes that you need for your next upgrade.
