Insulate For Income

Enlarge Image Image Gallery [1] Setting an aluminum storm window in place in front of the existing window. [2] Pouring a 30-pound bag of cellulose into the hopper of the blower. [3] The author's father cuts access holes in the wall with a hole saw. It's important that there are no obstructions between the studs ... so that the cellulose can completelyfillthe space. [4] An A-Frame window transporter (note the heavy-duty rubber snubbers). Storm windows and doors are a profitable sideline. [5] Faint outlines mark the holes through which the insulation was blown between the walls. [6] The author, blowing the cellulose insulation between the outer and inner walls of a house. [7] The author(wearing a dust-proof mask) introduces thefluffyinsulating material into a customer's attic.

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Ceiling insulation and storm windows are about the fastest-moving home energy conservation products around. And—even if you start on a shoestring—you can install such household improvements, learning the trade as you go, and earn as much as $400 for a single day's activity!

Because of today's rapidly increasing home heating and cooling costs, most folks are quite willing to "invest" in products that can cut down on their energy needs. I discovered this huge (and largely untapped) market back in 1977, when— after being unemployed for four months-I started my own home insulation business ... a venture which now enables me to earn a net profit of about $1,000 for every 30 hours I work! Such an enterprise requires little or no initial investment and can provide an immediate -and impressiveincome. So if you need e xtra cash now, don't pass up this article!

A SHOESTRING, OR LESS!

My first two ceiling insulation jobs netted me a total of $170 profit for one day's work! I had no equipment of my own and had never done insulation work before. My brother gave me the necessary instructions, and I got the cellulose insulation— on credit and at a slightly reduced price—from a farm products store. The firm's special machine, which is used to blow the material into attics and walls, was lent to me free of charge ... and I transported my supplies to the job site in a borrowed pickup truck!

PICK YOUR PRODUCT

The first thing you'll have to understand, in order to sell an insulation job, is the term "R-factor" . . . which refers to the amount of heat lost or gained through a structure's attic or walls over a period of time. (It's estimated that 55% of a ' home's heat loss takes place through the attic, and the other 45% through walls, windows, and doors.) The higher the R-factor, the more efficient the insulation.

In most parts of the country, a factor of R-19 to R-22 is the very minimum recommended for ceilings, while a factor of R-11 is considered to be "rock bottom" for walls. (An R-19 attic will contain about 4 inches of insulation ... an R-22, about 6 inches ... an R-24, about 6-1/2 inches ... an R-32, about 8 inches ... and an R-40 about 10-1/2 inches.)

Since many suppliers carry only cellu blow-in insulation and a machine to 'apply the material, you should know the many selling points of this substance:

Cellulose is less expensive, but has a -higher R-factor, than any other blow-in insulation on the market today ... it has good sound-deadening qualities ... a bag of cellulose weighs 30 pounds, while bags of other types of insulation may weigh less ... you can light a match to high-quality cellulose, and—though it might burn while the flame is applied—the material will quickly extinguish itself as soon as the match is removed ... cellulose retains its insulating properties over the years ... it's not itchy, so the material isn't a problem for anyone who might want to work in the attic after it's installed ... and, finally, most cellulose is UL approved and meets all FHA specifications (make sure that your choice has these stamps of approval).

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print