Home Insulation: The Basics
Why Insulate?
Today’s builders and remodelers understand how to save energy in residential homes. Modern building codes are designed to minimize energy loss using energy-efficient lighting, windows, doors, and heating and air conditioning equipment. However, perhaps the single most important component in ensuring energy efficiency is insulation. Without insulation, all of the other aspects won’t be as effective as they should.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be an energy efficiency expert to understand the basics of insulation. Whether you’re building a new home or improving an existing one, investing in insulation will provide you with long-term benefits like reduced heating and cooling costs and increased comfort all year round. Besides helping to maintain a comfortable temperature in the home, insulation is a great sound absorber that cuts down on “noise pollution” both from inside and outside the home. This translates to a more tranquil home environment, which can help lower stress levels.
Questions About Home Insulation
Before you buy, build or remodel your home, it’s a good idea to consult an insulation contractor about your house’s energy efficiency needs. Some questions to ask include:
- Does my existing insulation meet today’s recommended standards?
- What type of insulation should I use in my home?
- Which areas of the house should I have insulated?
To keep your home as energy-efficient as possible, insulation should be installed in as many areas of your house as possible, not only the outside walls and attic. Some areas you may want to include are:
- Sloped walls and ceilings
- Slab perimeters
- Flooring above an unconditioned basement or unheated area like a garage or porch
- Basement walls
- Interior floors and walls (especially where you need extra soundproofing)
“R-Value” and Insulation Choices
R-value is the way insulation is identified and labeled. The “R” represents the resistance to heat flow—the greater the insulating power, the higher the R-value. Usually, this number will be printed on the bag or the label of the product.
There are a few different options for residential insulation, but the two most commonly used types are fiberglass and cellulose. Fiberglass insulation has been used to insulate homes since the 1930s. By trapping pockets of air, fiberglass is very effective at keeping rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is especially the case with medium- and high-density fiberglass batt insulation products, which have a slightly higher R-value than standard batts (a type of insulation blanket). It’s an attractive choice for home insulation because it poses no fire hazard. Cellulose insulation, on the other hand, is made of 80% post-consumer recycled newsprint, which makes it a very environmentally-friendly choice. Cellulose is chemically treated with nontoxic borate compounds to resist fire, insects and mold. It provides greater resistance to air leakage than fiberglass insulation.
Insulation Considerations
When deciding on which insulation product to install, you should consider these six things:
- Moisture resistance
- Fire safety
- Price
- Permanence
- Settling resistance
- Thermal performance
While it’s important to choose a quality product to insulate your home, an even more important factor is proper installation. Even if you choose the best type of insulation, its full R-value will be achieved only if it’s installed correctly. To ensure proper installation, you’ll need to hire a qualified insulation contractor in your area.
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