Upgrade Your Insulation
In today’s busy society, things often slip through the cracks. Insulation in your home is one of those things. However, insulation is very important when it comes to saving money and improving the efficiency of your house. So the next question is, how do I know when I need to upgrade my insulation? If one of the following scenarios describes your current situation, you should consider upgrading your insulation.
- You have an older home and have not added insulation. Before 1980, it is noted that only 20% of homes were well insulated.
- You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or uncomfortably hot in the summer. By adding insulation, the temperature in yourhome will become more uniform and increase your comfort level.
- You are building a new home, addition, or install new siding or roofing.
- You pay high energy bills.
- You are bothered by noise from outside, insulation helps muffle sounds.
Once you have decided to upgrade your insulation, you should educate yourself on different insulation products. Home insulation products fall into four categories.
- Rolls and Batts or Blankets – are flexible products made from mineral fibers, including fiberglass insulation and rock wool. If you want to buy fiberglass insulation, contact a fiberglass insulation installer to determine the different R values and sizes available. Remember the higher the R Value the better the insulation will resist the transfer of heat.
- Loose-fill insulation – usually made of fiberglass, rock wool or cellulouse in the form of loose fibers or pellets. This type of insulation is blown into spaces and conforms readily to the building cavities. It is best suited for places where it is difficult to install other types of insulation.
- Rigid Foam Insulation – this type is typically more expensive than fiber insulation. However, it is very effective in areas with space limitations and in spaces where higher R Values are needed. Foam insulation installation is also popular because its thickness is up to 2 times greater than other insulating materials of the same value.
- Foam in place insulation – this insulation can be blown into walls and reduces air leakage if blown into cracks.
Consulting a home insulation contractor or installer is the next step in this process. Contracting companies that specialize in insulation services is a very valuable asset when considering to upgrade your insulation. In this field, the contractors and installers will have a breadth of knowledge. They will be able to inform you about the current state of your house, where insulation needs upgraded and what type of insulation you need to purchase. The contractor will be able to tell you if you need to buy cellulose insulation, purchase foam insulation, buy fiberglass insulation or a mixture.
Insulating an Attic
If you are interesting in lowering your energy bills and making your home more efficient you should look up, into your attic. An attic is one of the easiest places to insulated or add insulation in a house. If you are adding insulation to an existing home you will first need to research what type of insulation you currently have and how thick it is.
You will typically find loose-fill or batt insulation in your attic. Loose-fill insulation is made of recycled materials including cellulose, fiberglass and mineral wool. Batt insulation is made of fiberglass and mineral as well but unlike loose fill it comes in blankets that cover completely, rather than being blown in. Typically when having insulation installed loose-fill tends to be less expensive than batt insulation, and when properly installed provides better coverage. If you discover that your attic insulation is 6 inches or more deep, other energy related improvements would be a better investment.
If you are one of those who is need of insulation the next step is to prepare the area for installation. First you will need to lay boards across the joists for walkways and install temporary lighting. Next seal air leaks; warm air reduces the insulations effectiveness. Some areas to check include access panels, exhaust fans, soffits and chimneys. Another important factor is proper attic ventilation. Without proper attic ventilation moisture will build up and destroy insulation. Next check for water stains or marks which is a sign of a leaky roof or improper ventilation. This will need to be fixed before adding additional insulation to your attic.
After you have prepared the attic, you are ready to install insulation. In unfloored attics, when using batt or roll insulation, lay them between the joists cut them only when necessary and butt pieces tightly together to ensure full potential. When using loose-fill insulation in unfloored attics pour or blow the insulation according to the directions on the bag to achieve the desired R-Value. In floored attics, blown in insulation is best for insulating under the existing floor. You can later add more insulation on top of the floor; this usually requires the help of a contractor. Remember additional insulation in your attic will pay itself off in energy savings.
Other improvements that can be made to lower your energy bills include the installation of a radiant barrier if you live in a hot or warm climate. Radiant barriers are commonly installed in attics to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss. The barriers are constructed of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat from the sun rather than absorbing it. Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling ducts are located in the attic. Studies have shown that in warmer climates radiant barriers can lower cooling costs between 5-10%. If you live in a cooler climate you may want to combine insulation with the radiant barrier known as a reflective insulation system. If you choose to install a radiant barrier remember its effectiveness depends on proper installation, therefore it is best to hire a certified installer.
Long-Term Savings Tips by Adding Insulation
In the average American household heating and cooling costs account for 50 to 70% of the total energy used. Evaluating your home’s insulation is one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of your money. By investing in proper insulation and sealing air leaks within your home, you can increase the comfort while decreasing your heating and cooling needs.
Adding insulation to your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and/or crawl spaces may be the best way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. First, check the insulation in these areas to determine if they meet the recommended levels of insulation for your area. The Department Of Energy (DOE) recommends certain R-Value insulation to help your home resist the transfer of heat depending on environmental factors. You will also want to refer to state and local codes before applying the DOE standards, which are cost effective and may vary from building codes.
Other tips for saving with insulation include:
- Insulation products with R-Values that factor in the climate, building design, and budget
- Use higher density insulation on exterior walls (rigid foam boards)
- Proper ventilation helps with moisture control and reduces summer cooling
If you are on a budget and cannot afford to higher an insulation contractor to rework the insulation in your entire house, focus your efforts on your attic. Adding insulation to your attic is relatively easy and very cost effective. There should be at least 11 inches of fiberglass insulation or 8 inches of cellulose insulation. If your attic already has enough insulation and your house still feels drafty, redirect your attention to the exterior walls. The second option is more expensive and generally calls for the use of a home insulation contractor, but it may be worth it depending on where you live. Another option to recover your energy dollars is sealing air leaks within your home. Air infiltration reduced the efficiency of insulation and other thermal materials.
If you are a new builder, you will save money and energy if you install a combination of cavity insulation and insulative sheathing. Cavity insulation is installed in levels of R-15 to R-21 within the walls. The insulative sheathing in addition to the cavity insulation helps reduce the energy that would have been lost through the wood frame. There are also new products on the market that provide both insulation and structural support and should be considered in new home construction or additions. These new insulation products include structural insulated panels and insulating concrete. New home construction should also consider the use of radiant barriers, reflective insulation and foundation insulation.
just a few days
