Soundproofing

Do you have a noisy home? In a busy hub like Washington, DC, it's no secret that noise can be a big issue. From noise pollution around the clock to the widespread sound of sirens, peace and quiet is hard to come by. Luckily, Home Energy Medics specializes in strategic home upgrades designed to reduce excessive noise infiltration with insulation—plus these upgrades come with added benefits, like more home comfort and lower energy bills. 

There are many reasons to soundproof your home in the DC, Southern Maryland, and Northern Virginia areas, including:

• A quieter home office
• Better podcast recording
• Isolation from heavy outside traffic
• A quieter home theater environment
• Better rest for light sleepers or kids in the home
• Fewer interruptions from noisy neighbors
• And more!

Impact Noise vs. Acoustic Noise 

There are two major types of noise that can be prevalent within the home—impact noise and acoustic noise. Impact noise comes from what it sounds like, typically in the form of footsteps from above. It can be a real problem in split-level homes and apartments, and it's very common. Acoustic noise is different--it is the ambient noise that travels through walls and floors without any actual impact occurring (think music, talking, etc.).

Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that both impact and acoustic noise can be treated in the same way, but this is typically not the case. Impact noise in particular can be much harder to dampen, which is why it's essential to work with a team of professionals with extensive soundproofing experience, like Home Energy Medics.

Soundproofing Your Home With Insulation 

Homeowners interested in boosting their home’s energy efficiency know that insulation plays a huge role in reducing energy bills and boosting home comfort. But when it comes to the benefits of insulation, efficiency is just one piece of the puzzle. 

Insulation acts as a barrier between your living spaces and the outdoors that keeps conditioned air inside of your home and the outdoor temperatures outside, where they belong. But, insulation can also absorb sound vibrations from outside before they find their way into your home as well, helping to alleviate both acoustic and impact noise pollution indoors.

The Best Insulation For Soundproofing

Not all insulation types are created equal. When it comes to finding the right insulation to reduce noise pollution, it’s a good idea to look at the material’s sound transmission class (STC) or noise reduction coefficient (NRC) ratings. These measurements determine the effectiveness of an insulation to block or absorb sound, with a higher rating meaning a more effective product. However, the building science experts at Home Energy Medics also recommend air sealing your home in tandem with insulation upgrades to maximize both its soundproofing, home comfort, and energy efficiency benefits. 

While most manufacturers have different STC and NRC ratings for their type of insulation, both spray foam and cellulose insulation are known in the industry for their sound dampening qualities. Most cellulose and spray foam insulation have an STC rating between 40-50 (very good) and an NRC rating of 0.70 or higher (also good). At Home Energy Medics, we can help find the best insulation type for soundproofing your home.

Benefits of a Quiet Home

Soundproofing your home can not only relieve the stress of ongoing noise pollution, but it has several other benefits to your health and well-being as well, for example:

• Improved quality of sleep - Interrupted sleep can leave you feeling groggy and soundproofing your home can help you finally get a good night’s rest.
• Privacy - If you’re struggling to get some alone time, soundproofing can help you feel more at peace anywhere in your home. It can also help relieve some tension between you and noisy neighbors.

• Better focus - Soundproofing can help you concentrate and get your home office work back on track by blocking outside distractions.

Insulation: More Than Just Soundproofing 

At Home Energy Medics, we're not just a soundproofing contractor, we’re building scientists. That means that we can make valuable recommendations that will help to dramatically improve noise pollution and increase your home’s energy efficiency. Insulating your home has many other benefits to your home in addition to its sound dampening effect, including: 

• Improved year-round comfort
• Lower energy bills
• Increased home value
• Reduced risk of mold
• Improved indoor air quality

The Insulation & Soundproofing Experts of the DC Area

Whether you're dealing with impact noise, acoustic noise, or other issues that are regularly bothering you or your family, Home Energy Medics will work to properly insulate your home so that these problems will disappear and fade into the past. Whether it's padding certain areas with a specific kind of insulation or making sure your doors and windows are installed properly, our team will be sure to get your home environment comfortable and noise-controlled, quickly and efficiently. 

Since insulation also provides energy saving benefits, it’s eligible for incentives! Upgrading your home’s performance and soundproofing with insulation qualifies for:

• Insulation tax credits - Reduce your federal tax liability by 30% of the cost for insulation and air sealing materials, up to $1,200, with the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.
• Insulation rebates - Get up to $7,500 in rebates for insulation and air sealing upgrades through EmPower Maryland.

Don’t let noise pollution make your home an uncomfortable place to live. Call 703-447-5379 or contact us online to get started today.