Techniques and materials in insulation have come a long way over the past few years. We have reached a point in which many buildings, especially high-performance buildings, are considered capable of being hermetically sealed, and as a result, must contain oxygen sensors in every room. While this is a result of exterior insulation and we will be focusing on interior insulation for this post, we found this worth mentioning nonetheless.

With the rise in techniques, so has there been a rise in regulation. California’s energy code is very strict when it comes to the installation of insulation, and as a result, a developer should aim to surpass every inspection the first time around. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why insulation inspections go south and how to mitigate these risks.

Timing is important

Before we get into the other problems that arise during the installation of insulation, a quick word on timing. Many of the problems that arise during this process have to do with an error in timing; it’s very easy to misjudge the inspection that is required, or alternatively to time it a little too late.

These mistakes end up with a halt in construction either way, as one means that the workers stop for a week until the inspection takes place, and the other means that the installers continue to build past the point that required inspection, and ultimately have to take down what they have since built.

The phases of reviews and inspection

Before the installation even begins, have the construction documents reviewed by your energy consultant. They will be able to verify that the materials and building techniques are correct for the development project at hand. Once the plans are given the thumbs up, have your energy consultant come in and explain the standards that are required by the inspector to the installation crew.

Different buildings require different levels of installation, so this is an important step. Finally, the energy consultant will check over the system before the inspection.

In conclusion

Not passing these inspections is a huge hit to the project. It has the capability to multiply insulation costs, push back the schedule, and take away from the bottom line. The best way to ensure that the whole process goes smoothly is to have an energy consultant overview the implementation. In the lifetime cost of a development, an energy consultant is worth their weight in gold when compared to the potential costs that could arise from even the simplest of errors.