Home Comfort Insights from Connecticut's Insulation Experts
Professional insights, money-saving tips, and real solutions for Connecticut homeowners.
The Cellulose Insulation Dry Pac System: A Guide for Contractors
For contractors looking for an efficient, high-performance insulation solution for new home construction and additions, the cellulose insulation dry pac system is an excellent choice. This method provides superior thermal performance, air sealing, and soundproofing while being cost-effective and eco-friendly.
If you’re a builder or contractor trying to hit high-performance targets without burning up the budget, it’s time to get familiar with the cellulose dry pac system.
This method isn’t new, but it’s been quietly outperforming batt insulation for decades. And if you’re building tight, energy-efficient homes—or you’re tired of callbacks from homeowners complaining about drafts and noise—you’ll want this in your playbook.
So What Is the Dry Pac System?
Short version: we staple up 6-mil poly, dense-pack cellulose behind it, and tape it off clean.
Long version: It’s a smarter way to insulate framed walls, locking in air sealing, soundproofing, and thermal performance all in one go.
Here’s how the install looks on site:
Step-by-Step for Contractors:
- Hang the Poly
Staple and stitch 6-mil poly over the stud bays after framing. That poly’s your containment. - Insert the Blowing Hose
Cut a small slit in the poly. Feed the hose deep into the cavity. We’re not fluffing—this is dense-pack. - Dense-Pack Cellulose
Use an insulation blower to pack each cavity solid. No voids. No settling later. Just clean, consistent fill. - Tape It Shut
Once the cavity’s full, tape the slit. The poly stays intact and does its job as an air barrier.
Why This Beats Batts (Every. Single. Time.)
✅ Higher R-Value Per Inch
Dense-pack cellulose gives you better thermal performance than fiberglass batts, hands down.
✅ Built-in Air Sealing
Done right, this system slows air movement like a champ—no need for extra air-sealing steps inside the wall.
✅ Soundproofing, Too
Your clients won’t hear what’s happening in the next room or outside. Big win for quality of life.
✅ No Settling, No Gaps
Because it’s packed to the right density (3.5–4.0 lbs/cu ft), it won’t sag or settle over time.
✅ Eco-Friendly & Code-Compliant
Made from recycled paper and treated with borate—safe, sustainable, and passes every code requirement you’ll run into.
✅ Mold, Pest & Fire Resistant
The borate treatment keeps critters and mold out, and adds a layer of fire protection your inspectors will like.
When to Use the Dry Pac System
If you’re working on:
✔️ New builds that need airtight performance
✔️ Additions that need to meet modern code
✔️ Passive house or energy-efficient designs
…this is your system.
Why Nealon?
We’ve been insulating shoreline homes and working with builders like you for 48 years. Our team knows the dry pac system inside and out—and we get in, get it done, and get out of your way so you can keep your build on schedule.
👉 Ready to line up insulation that actually performs? Contact Nealon Insulation for a walkthrough or quote.
What Is EnergizeCT? A Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Savings and Insulation Incentives
Learn how EnergizeCT helps Connecticut homeowners save on energy costs through rebates and insulation incentives. Discover how Nealon Insulation can help you maximize savings and improve home efficiency.
If you're a homeowner in Connecticut and you like saving money (who doesn’t?), let me introduce you to EnergizeCT. It’s one of the best-kept secrets out there when it comes to making your home more comfortable and more energy-efficient—without draining your wallet.
So What Is It?
EnergizeCT is a state-backed program that helps homeowners and businesses cut down on energy use and upgrade their homes with rebates, incentives, and expert services. It’s funded by your utility bills (yep, you’re already paying into it), and it’s managed by folks like Eversource, United Illuminating, DEEP, and PURA. Translation: it’s legit—and if you’re not using it, you’re leaving free money on the table.
How EnergizeCT Helps Homeowners
Here’s what’s in it for you:
🏠 Home Energy Assessments
Through the Home Energy Solutions (HES) program, you can get a pro to come out, check where your home is bleeding energy, and fix small stuff on the spot. Drafty doors? Leaky attic? They’ll pinpoint it and start sealing it up—same day.
💸 Rebates for Insulation
This is the big one. EnergizeCT offers huge incentives for insulation, sometimes covering half or more of the cost. It makes upgrading to high-performance insulation—like our dense-pack cellulose—way more affordable.
🔥 Lower Energy Bills
Better insulation = less work for your furnace and AC. Less work for your furnace and AC = more money staying in your pocket every month. It adds up fast.
😌 Year-Round Comfort
No more frozen toes in February or sweating through your T-shirt in July. Proper insulation helps keep your house the same temperature everywhere, all the time.
🌍 You’re Doing Right by the Planet
Less wasted energy means fewer emissions, which means a cleaner Connecticut for the next generation. And that feels pretty good, doesn’t it?
Where Nealon Insulation Comes In
At Nealon Insulation, we’ve been insulating homes on the Connecticut shoreline for 48 years, and we’ve been part of the EnergizeCT installer network for a long time. That means we know the ropes—and we make the whole thing easy for you.
Here’s how we help:
- We Walk You Through the Rebate Process
We know which forms to fill out, what documentation you need, and how to make sure you don’t miss a single dollar of what you’re owed. - We Do It Right the First Time
We use high-quality cellulose insulation and experienced crews who treat your home like it’s their own. - We Maximize Your Savings
Because we understand the program inside and out, we’ll make sure your upgrades are optimized to get the most energy savings for the lowest out-of-pocket cost.
Ready to Start Saving?
EnergizeCT is here to help. We’re here to make sure you actually benefit from it.
👉 Contact Nealon Insulation today to schedule a consultation. We’ll handle the details, install the insulation, and help you cash in on every rebate available.
At Nealon, we don’t just stuff insulation in your walls—we help you build a better-performing home that stays comfortable and efficient all year long.
Let’s make it happen.
Why Is My AC Not Cooling My House?
Is your AC running but your home still feels warm? Poor insulation, clogged filters, refrigerant leaks, or duct issues could be the cause. Learn common reasons why your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly and how insulation can help improve efficiency.
We hear this one every summer: "My AC's been running non-stop, but the house still feels like a sauna."
If your air conditioner sounds like it’s working overtime but your home still feels sticky and hot, you’re not imagining it. And no, you don’t have to immediately shell out for a brand new system. There are a few common reasons your AC might be underperforming—and insulation is one of the biggest (and most overlooked) culprits.
Let’s break it down.
1. Your Insulation Is Letting You Down
Here’s the deal: insulation isn’t just for keeping you warm in winter. It’s also what keeps cool air inside when the summer heat cranks up. If your attic’s poorly insulated—or if your crawl space is basically a wind tunnel—you’re leaking that cold air faster than your AC can pump it out.
What to do:
Upgrade your insulation, especially in the attic. We use borate-treated cellulose that seals better, performs better, and helps keep your AC from dying of exhaustion. Cooler house, lower bills. Boom.
2. Your Air Filter Looks Like a Dust Bunny Convention
If your filter’s clogged, your AC can’t breathe. And if it can’t breathe, it can’t cool. Simple as that.
What to do:
Pop that filter out and check it. If it’s grey, fuzzy, or looks like it’s been through a dust storm, swap it out. Every 1–3 months is the sweet spot for most homes.
3. You’ve Got a Refrigerant Leak
If your system is low on refrigerant, it’s like trying to chill a six-pack with an empty cooler. Not gonna happen.
What to do:
Call an HVAC pro. This one’s not DIY—handling refrigerant requires proper tools and training (and a license).
4. Your Ductwork’s a Leaky Mess
Even if your AC is running fine, cool air could be disappearing through gaps, cracks, or crushed ductwork—especially in older homes. It’s like trying to fill a kiddie pool with a hole in the hose.
What to do:
Get your ductwork inspected and sealed. It’ll boost your system’s performance and help every room feel like it’s actually getting some AC love.
5. Your Thermostat’s Set Weird
We’ve all done it. You bump the thermostat, or it somehow gets switched to “heat” or “fan” mode—and suddenly the AC “isn’t working.”
What to do:
Double-check it. Make sure it’s set to cool, set to auto, and sitting somewhere between 72–78°F. That’s your efficiency sweet spot.
6. Your AC Is Too Small (Or Just Old and Tired)
If your system was undersized when it was installed—or it’s over a decade old—it might be flat-out unable to keep up with demand. Age and wear take their toll, and a small unit can’t cool a big space no matter how hard it tries.
What to do:
Have a pro size your home and system. If it’s time for an upgrade, look for a high-efficiency unit that fits your space properly.
Insulation: The Unsung Hero of Summer Comfort
All of these issues matter—but if your house isn’t sealed right, your AC is fighting a losing battle.
At Nealon Insulation, we’ve been helping shoreline homeowners seal up and cool down for 48 years. We install high-performance cellulose insulation that stops air leaks, cuts down on heat transfer, and helps your cooling system actually do its job.
👉 Sweating through another summer? Let’s fix that.
Contact Nealon Insulation today for a no-pressure consult. We’ll help you keep the cool air where it belongs—inside your house.
What are the Different Types of Blown-In Insulation? A Guide to Blown-In Insulation
Explore the different types of blown-in insulation and find out which option is best for your home. Learn why Nealon Insulation recommends high-performance cellulose for superior energy efficiency.
Let’s cut through the fluff—literally. When it comes to blown-in insulation, you’ve got three main players: cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool. They all technically “do the job,” but one of them does it better, cleaner, and smarter—especially if you care about your energy bill, the environment, and keeping your house comfortable year-round.
Here’s the breakdown, straight up.
1. Cellulose Insulation – The Heavyweight Champ 🥇
Made from shredded-up recycled newspaper and treated with borates (a natural fire retardant), cellulose doesn’t just look like it means business—it actually does.
Why we swear by it:
- Higher R-Value – It keeps heat where it belongs: in during winter, out during summer. More bang for your buck.
- Air Sealing Like a Boss – It fills every little nook, crack, and air gap—no drafts sneaking through.
- Green as it Gets – Up to 85% recycled content, which means less trash in landfills.
- Mold & Pest Resistance – Borates handle mold, mice, and bugs like a bouncer at the door.
- Fire Resistance – Treated to slow down flames if disaster ever strikes.
Bottom line? This stuff works hard—and it works smart.
2. Fiberglass Insulation – The Lightweight Contender
Ah yes, the insulation most people recognize. Those little pink tufts or white fluffy clouds? That’s fiberglass—made of spun glass fibers.
Pros:
- Cheap and easy to find.
- Decent thermal performance when installed perfectly.
Cons:
- Lower R-value than cellulose—so you’re losing heat and cash.
- Doesn’t seal air gaps well—hello drafts.
- Itches like crazy, and you don’t want it floating around your lungs.
You can do better. Trust me.
3. Mineral Wool (a.k.a. Rock Wool) – The Tough Guy
This one’s made from actual rock that’s been melted and spun into fibers. Sounds metal. Literally.
Pros:
- Naturally fire-resistant—no extra chemicals needed.
- Great at blocking sound. (Bonus if you’ve got noisy neighbors.)
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Harder to find.
- Heavy as hell—can even require beefing up your framing.
It’s solid—but overkill for most residential jobs. Unless you’re building a recording studio or a medieval castle, you probably don’t need this.
So… Why Cellulose?
Glad you asked. If you want:
✅ More energy savings
✅ Better indoor comfort
✅ Fewer drafts and moisture headaches
✅ Less environmental guilt
✅ No fiberglass rash or airborne irritants
…then cellulose is your clear winner. Especially here in Connecticut, where we get the full buffet of weather: humid summers, icy winters, and everything in between.
Nealon Insulation: Your Cellulose Pros Since 1977
We’ve been insulating homes up and down the Connecticut shoreline for 48 years, and we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Cellulose has been our go-to because it delivers—plain and simple.
Want to lower your energy bills, make your home quieter and comfier, and do right by the planet?
👉 Contact Nealon Insulation and let’s get your place sealed up right.
We don’t cut corners. We don’t do gimmicks. We just do great insulation.
What Are Attic Baffles? Benefits and Why You Should Install Attic Baffles?
Discover the importance of attic baffles in maintaining proper airflow, preventing moisture buildup, and improving insulation efficiency. Learn why Nealon Insulation recommends installing attic baffles for a healthier home.
Let’s talk about something not-so-glamorous but seriously important: attic baffles.
Also called rafter vents (for the fancy crowd), these are simple plastic or foam channels that get tucked between your rafters, usually right above your soffit vents. Why? Because without them, your attic insulation can choke off airflow, and that’s when problems start piling up—think mold, heat, and the dreaded ice dam.
So yeah, baffles might not look like much—but they’re doing a whole lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Why Attic Baffles Matter
Here’s what these unsung heroes actually do for your house:
🌀 Keep the Air Moving
Baffles make sure fresh air flows from the soffit vents up into the attic. Without them, your insulation can block that airflow like a wet towel stuffed in a vent. You want air moving—not getting trapped.
❄️ Prevent Ice Dams
In winter, a poorly ventilated attic can heat up, melt snow on your roof, and cause it to refreeze at the edge. That’s an ice dam, and it’s a nightmare for your roof and gutters. Baffles help keep attic temps consistent and ice dams at bay.
💧 Control Moisture, Stop Mold
No airflow means condensation. And condensation in an attic = mold party. Baffles help your attic breathe, which keeps moisture down and mold out.
💡 Boost Energy Efficiency
A well-ventilated attic means your HVAC isn’t working overtime to deal with trapped heat. Your AC and furnace will thank you—and so will your energy bill.
🏠 Protect Your Roof
Excess heat and moisture can rot your roof from the inside out. That’s not drama—that’s reality. Baffles help extend the life of your roofing materials.
Why Call Nealon for Baffle Installations?
We’ve been crawling through attics along the Connecticut shoreline for 48 years. We’ve seen what happens when ventilation gets ignored, and we know how to fix it before it becomes an expensive problem.
Here’s what you get with Nealon Insulation:
- Expert Installation – We don’t just toss in baffles and hope for the best. We install them right, every time.
- Integrated Strategy – Baffles are part of the big picture. We line them up with proper insulation, air sealing, and ventilation for the whole system to work together.
- High-Quality Materials – No cheap junk. We use durable baffles that stay put and do their job for the long haul.
- Real Results – Lower energy bills, fewer headaches, and a house that feels just right—winter or summer.
Ready to Give Your Attic Some Breathing Room?
If you’ve got insulation without airflow, you’ve got a problem. Let’s fix that.
👉 Contact Nealon Insulation today, and we’ll make sure your attic is vented, sealed, and built to last.
At Nealon, we don’t just install insulation. We build performance—and attic baffles are a crucial part of that.
Our Values
Building Trust Through Excellence, One Home At A Time
Integrity First and Always
We treat every home as if it were our own, providing honest assessments and transparent recommendations.
Quality Without Compromise
We use only premium materials and proven installation techniques.
Customer-First Approach
From your first energy assessment to the final inspection, your satisfaction is our priority.
Let's Work Together
Ready to transform your home into an energy-efficient haven? Schedule your free Estimate today and experience the Nealon difference for yourself.