Types
of
Home Insulation

How you insulate your home can have a significant impact on your energy costs and comfort.

According to the Dept. of Energy, heating and cooling account for 50%-70% of the energy used in the average American home.

Let’s face it, high energy costs are not going to go away.

Insulating properly is very cost efficient and will continue to pay for many years.

Common types of home insulation

• Fiberglass Insulation
• Blown in Cellulose Insulation
• Spray on Foam Insulation
• Rigid foam
• Cotton
• Mineral wool

Insulation is rated by R-values.

R-value is the effectiveness of a material to resist heat flow.

The higher the R-value the better the insulation.

Typical R-values used in new homes is R-19 - R-21 in walls and R-30 - R-44 in ceilings.

Although R-value is important, some types of insulation do not address the important issue of air infiltration.

Infiltration is air that leaks into and out of a building through cracks and openings.

Air leakage can also decrease the R-value in certain insulation types.

Air infiltration can account for between 25% and 60% of the energy you pay to heat and cool your home.

After examining the types of home insulation, the next step is finding the right insulation contractor to install it properly.

I’ve seen too many poor insulation jobs that resulted in unhappy homeowners.

Find a contractor who practices “building science”.

These contractors use the “house is a system approach”.

The best way to find one is ask if they take this approach.

The real craftsmen have the tools to test the air tightness of the home after it’s insulated with a blower door. This is a very important step.

It tells whether the house is too tight or not tight enough.

If the house is too tight you will have to install a mechanical ventilation system to bring in enough fresh air for your health and safety.

This is called "controlled ventilation".

It’s also one of the best ways to save on your energy bills.

A house that is not sealed tight enough can cause problems such as high fuel bills and dry air.

They should also test for combustion safety to ensure there is enough combustion air and whether the appliance is exhausting the products of combustion safely.

Choosing the right insulation and the right installer will not only give you a good return on your investment but provide comfort and contribute to a healthier and more durable home.

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