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Can insulation make a real impact on your energy bills?

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by mws227 in Saving Energy

Do you feel like your spending too much on your energy bills? If you haven’t checked on your home insulation lately, you may well be. Recent data published by the U.S. Department suggests that at least 44 percent of the energy used in Americans home goes to cooling and heating. And if your walls, attic, and floors are not adequately insulated or not insulated at all, chances are good that more than half of your costly conditioned air is heading straight for the outdoors.

Home Insulation Benefits

Home insulation essentially saves you more money than you can imagine. An effective insulation system resists and reduces heat flow, making your home more efficient in utilizing energy both for heating and cooling. A well-insulated home is essentially comfortable all year round. By reducing drafts and minimizing heat loss, your home can and will stay warm in the winter and cool during summer.

Homeowners also consider home insulation systems because of its ability to act as a sound absorber. When properly fitted in ceilings and walls, it not only regulates the transmission of sound from one room to another but also inhibits sounds outside from going in. In an environment like ours, more and more homeowners, especially new parents, are considering to soundproof their homes. And having insulation installed is one of the most convenient and practical ways to do it.

Shopping for Insulation

But how much insulation do you really need? It essentially varies where you live. A home insulation contractor should also consider the following factors when doing “energy audit” and determining how much insulation your home really needs:

• Model building code
• When was the structure built
• Insulation in the attic, or the lack of it
• Type of heating and cooling system
• Wall type
• Variety of floor

Other factors include the types of ceilings and attic. For example, homes with cathedral ceiling essentially require an insulation value of R-60 while attics need anywhere between R30 to R60. A home insulation contractor should provide you with the data of the R-value for your home, which is a system that defines the type of insulation according to its resistance to heat flow. As the R-value goes up, the greater the material’s insulating capability.

When it comes to shopping for a home insulating system, home owners can now choose from a variety of insulation materials, including mineral wool, fiber glass, foam, cellulose, and cotton. The most popular of home insulation systems are made from cellulose and fiber glass.

There are things you need to consider before deciding on an insulation material:

• Durability. Installing a home insulation system isn’t exactly cheap. Choose a material that does not easily deteriorate or even settle over time.
• Moisture. Some home insulation systems will loose their insulating value when wet. When the material wasn’t designed to absorb moisture, it can affect other building materials like drywall, wood, and even metal. This leads to poor indoor air quality that, in return, can cause respiratory problems.
• Fire safety. When it comes to this category, experts can only name two: Cellulose and fiber glass. Aside from these fire-resistant materials, it is advisable that you shop for flame-retardant facings.

Installing a home installation system is one of the most important investments any homeowner can invest into. Therefore, consulting with an experienced and reliable home insulation pro is a great start to saving money on your energy bills.

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