What’s in the attic and in the basement matters, especially if you want a cozy environment for your family or business and lower utility bills. Attics, basements and crawl spaces are often overlooked when it comes to insulating a house or business against these unpredictable Indiana weather conditions.
“Attics are the most important area in your home to have properly insulated and air sealed,” says Kyle Hoover, co-owner and managing member of The Insulation Guys LLC. “This helps prevent air from escaping the house and stops outside air from coming in. Crawl space encapsulation along with insulation will make your home drier and warmer during the winter.”
Hoover and Ashley Sampsel make it their business to ensure that their customers’ houses and businesses are properly insulated using state-of-the art building science.
Just addressing the attic can save a property owner as much as 30% on energy bills. Insulating the rim joists and box sills in the basement cam reduce air infiltration by as much as 20%, which translates to even more heating and cooling costs.
The Insulation Guys LLC opened in 2012. Hoover and Sampsel had both worked with Hoover’s father, Mike, who owned and operated a mechanical insulation company, Hoover Contracting Services LLC, in 2002. After his father’s business closed, Hoover and Sampsel purchased the equipment and started out on their own.
Last year, an addition to the Insulation Guys building in Rochester added 1,100 square feet of warehouse space and 700 square feet of office space including a reception area, conference room and two individual offices. They also expanded their workforce to 16 people and increased training operations.
“In our years of doing business, we have had the privilege to work with all types of customers,” Hoover says. “They have ranged from an individual needing a walk-in cooler insulated to a general contractor for a multi-unit complex. We take pride in our work that we do, no matter the size of the project.”
Hoover and Sampsel service both residential and business customers within a 50-mile radius of Rochester. There have been times when some jobs required travel outside of that zone.
The company offers loose-fill cellulose, fiberglass insulation, fiber and spray foam insulation products for attics, basements and walls. These require installation experts skilled in effective and cost-saving techniques.
“Spray foam is a high-performance building insulation product,” Hoover says. “When using spray foam your home or business is insulated and air-sealed with one seamless application. Sealing air leaks is an important step to lower energy costs, reduce drafts and enjoy a more comfortable interior environment.”
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the installation of insulation, Hoover says.
“Every application from residential to industrial is unique,” he says. “We take into consideration all aspects of thermal and moisture protection, and how it affects the structure no matter what we are insulating. Every job, big or small, we apply our knowledge of building science to achieve the most favorable solution for the customer.”
Their experience and knowledge come in handy when educating their customers about what they do and why it’s important.
Hoover says one common misconception is that insulation only matters in the winter.
“While insulation is effective in the winter months, it is beneficial in the summer season as well,” he says. “It keeps your home’s temperature regulated for your comfort and helps you to save on energy year-round.”
Another misconception is that insulation does not have to be replaced or that it isn’t worth the cost to upgrade it. That is where Insulation Removal services come in.
“It is very possible that insulation may need to be replaced or retrofitted after a period of time depending on the type of insulation installed, the R rating of the original insulation, compression and movement over time, and whether any damage has occurred,” Hoover says. “Upgrading your insulation is a sound investment that is likely to pay for itself through reduced utility bills.”
Taking the time and spending the money to upgrade a building’s insulation adds value to the property, he says. Property owners may also be eligible for energy rebates and tax credits.
With combined experience in the industry of 40 years, Hoover and Sampsel have faced challenges that many new companies experience. Situations out of their control like the pandemic and changes in the housing industry could have been disastrous for a growing business. The Insulation Guys LLC has weathered these challenges.
“We were fortunate to have continued growing despite the negative implications the pandemic had on other businesses,” Hoover says. “In the past few years the demand for new-built homes, retrofits and remodels produced a schedule for us that was difficult to keep up with at times. The last thing we want to tell our customers when they call in is that we are months out before we can get to them.”
Hoover and Sampsel solved this by investing in additional equipment, adding two new rigs to their fleet and hiring more help. This allowed them to complete more jobs on a timely basis.
“Our next challenge was then to have a solid labor force,” Hoover says. “We began by hiring quality craftsmen and provided them with the training needed to become a part of our team. We do our best to take care of our co-workers by creating a work environment that they take pride in. Our motto is ‘We take care of each other, we learn from each other and we succeed together.’”
Facing challenges and coming up with solutions has been the key to the continued growth of The Insulation Guys, which has just passed the 10-year mark. The biggest challenge remains to ensure that their customers are also a focus of growth and success, and consider the company a resource.
“When they have questions, we share our knowledge of building science and the value of the products we offer,” Hoover says.
Even when a customer may have multiple options that will work for them, Hoover says his company will take the time to explain the differences and make recommendations.
“By focusing on a personable relationship with the customer and our quality of work, we create repeat customers and contractors,” he says.
For more information on The Insulation Guys and their services, call 574-930-0636, email theinsulationguys@gmail.com, or visit theinsulationguys.net. Their business is located at 325 West Monticello Road in Rochester.
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