Local Company with Global Commitment Shows Why Now is the Time to Insulate

With summer just around the corner, few may think that a home’s energy efficiency is a priority. Even though New Englanders don’t like to think about cold weather during our idyllic summers, Andy Carberry of Middleton Supply, Inc. thinks we should and here’s why.

“The spring and summer are in fact the perfect time to do those home energy improvement projects that cant be done during the snowy, blowy months of winter. Its when we can find the time to get this stuff done so that come next winter, our homes are all buttoned-up,” explains Carberry.

Middleton Building Supply, a LaValley family company, is a local, family-owned, full-service hardware and lumber yard that has, for nearly 50 years, serviced home owners and contractors throughout New Hampshire. The Middleton stores in both Dover and Hampton have a decidedly green focus with both locations working hard to green the options on their shelves so as to offer a myriad of more sustainable options for home improvement projects from paints to lights, to insulation.

Dedicated to providing green options to its customers, the folks at Middleton are tuned into the importance of insulation for both the planet and their customers’ wallets. Insulation is often overlooked when people buy a new home. They consider its overall layout, square footage, bathrooms, etc. but don’t ask about the building envelope and its capacity for keeping heat in and cool air out. The amount and kind of insulation a home has can seriously affect heating costs – not to mention a homes environmental footprint.

Carberry knows spring and summer are the times of year for home improvement projects and he urges homeowners to focus on insulation. “It’s an investment that has the highest return and the most impact on the environment,” he says. It’s not often that doing the “green” thing is so financially attractive. Most consumers who buy green products are accustomed to paying more than they would for regular products since the idea is that the “cost” is lower with regards to environmental impact. With regards to insulating a house however, Carberry says we can have our cake and eat it, too.

This cake sounds mighty taste since Carberry is convinced the average homeowner could save up to half on their oil bill. He explains, “Imagine a house that costs $3000 a year to heat with oil. Spend an extra $4000 on the insulation upgrade and cut your oil bill in half. You would save $1500 per year at today's prices, so in 2 ½ years that insulation would pay for itself.” The idea that a home improvement project could pay off in such little time is mind-boggling given the housing market as of late. It’s no secret that homeowners have struggled in the last few years and revamping a house’s insulation could be a much-needed boost, particularly this coming winter.

Traditional, blown-in fiberglass insulation is one way to improve heating and cooling efficiency but, as far as new construction goes, there is a better way. In addition to fiberglass, Middleton Building Co. just began carrying Ruxol, an insulation material made from natural stone and over 75% recycled content, at both the Dover and Hampton locations. It has a higher R-value than regular fiberglass insulation (which means it keeps heat in better: Ruxol is R-23 whereas blown-in is R-21), serves as a sound barrier and is water repellent and heat resistant. Ruxol has received numerous accolades from third-party evaluation services like the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) and GREENGUARD.

Imagine paying less for heat each year in addition to using less energy, relieving financial strain and helping the environment! And Carberry says, “If we want these kinds of earth-friendly insulations to be the industry standard, we have to let our wallets do the talking.” Andy Carberry explains further, “If people bought houses based on performance it would force the building community to make a change based on sales not on state enforced codes. We could actually speed up the process and make a huge impact on our environment and save money doing it.” In short, if we thought about our homes the same way we think about our cars and asked, “How does it perform?” there would be a huge industry shift.

Given their commitment to products like Ruxol, it’s no surprise Middleton Building Co. is a member of the Green Alliance, a group of 100 Seacoast businesses and over 3,000 consumers that share a commitment to the environment. The GA offers substantial discounts to its Green Card-carrying members at all of its Partnering Business locations, Middleton Dover and Hampton included. Additionally, as a Green Alliance business, Middleton has been certified green. A full report of the Hampton and Dover locations’ sustainability performance can be accessed on the Green Alliance website; www.greenalliance.biz.

Learn more about Middleton at www.retail.lavalleys.net