Insulation
From Homeowners Wiki!
Contents
Why insulate?
- Lower energy bill
- Insulation keeps your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer which reduces your heating and AC costs by making your home more efficient.
- Moisture control
- Cooking, bathing, flushing the toilet, running the sink, doing the dishes. All of these add moisture into the air. Without your insulation, this moisture would get trapped in your walls, resulting in mold and mildew growth.
- Sound control
- Insulation can actually absorb lots of unwanted sound such as noisy appliances, music, and conversation.
How your house consumes energy and money
The average U.S. family spends $1,900 a year on home utility bills. Heating and cooling your home account for the largest portion (54 percent) of your utility bills.
- Space heating – 45%
- Space cooling – 9%
- Computers and electrconics – 6%
- Lighting – 6%
- Other – 5%
- Cooking – 4%
- Refrigeration – 4%
- Wet cleaning – 3%
- Water heating – 18%
Mapping out heat loss
- Roof/attic – 25%
- Windows and doors – 25%
- Walls – 35%
- Floor – 15%
Where to insulate
- Attic
- Basement
- Crawlspace
- Exterior walls
- Floors
- Garage
- Walls bordering garage
Insulation types and forms
- Blow in:
- Blow in insulation is made of fiberglass or cellulose. It is blown in with a commercial piece of equipment and is ideal for hard to reach places such as attics. It is also great for adding on top of existing insulation or filling small cavities.
- Batts:
- Batts are precut sections of fiberglass or rock wool insulation that are designed to fit perfectly in between your houses framing. Batts can be used in your floors, walls, attics, and ceilings.
- Rolls:
- Rolls are just like batts except much longer and in a roll. These typically range from 20-40 feet long. Ideal for attics and floors.
- Foam board:
- Foam board can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They provide good thermal resistance and often add structural strength to your home. Foam board insulation sheathing reduces heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs.
- Spray foam:
- Expanding polyurethane foam is best at sealing air leaks around window jambs, doors, vents, any small gap or crack.
Insulation R-value
The R Value of the insulation says everything about it and is one of the most important things you're going to need to pay attention to when buying your insulation. The R value indicates how well the insulation resists heat transfer. Insulation with a higher R value will perform better than insulation with a lower rating. To figure out which insulation is best for you, refer to the chart below:
Finding good contractors
If you decide to hire out please refer to Finding Good Contractors.
