Putting In Insulation
Proper installation is crucial for achieving the maximum thermal performance, or R-value, of insulation. Some insulation kinds, such as blankets, boards, and materials that may be poured in situ, are installable by homeowners. (While liquid foam insulation materials can be run, professional installation is required.) Some varieties need to be professionally installed.
There are numerous types of insulation, and they are not all created equal. Not that one kind is better than the other; only that different kinds are made for different uses. This means that some types of insulation will perform better in particular places since insulation works as a barrier against heat loss in the winter or gain in the summer.
In the US, heating and cooling systems account for roughly 46% of overall energy use. To put that into perspective, the cost of operating HVAC systems accounts for over half of an average family’s monthly energy bill of $115.49.
According to Energystar.gov, effectively insulating your home can reduce your energy bills or heating and cooling costs by up to 15% or up to 11%. Even though that number might not seem very spectacular, you can utilize other energy-saving methods and adequate insulation to get even more significant savings. For instance, utilizing an intelligent thermostat or AC controller can cut your energy use by up to 25%.
Types of Insulation
Concrete Block Insulation
Various techniques insulate the walls and foundations of a residence constructed with concrete blocks. The cores can be filled with insulation to increase the average wall R-value if they aren’t filled with steel and concrete for structural reasons. However, field investigations and computer simulations have demonstrated that core filling does not significantly reduce fuel consumption due to the ease with which heat is transferred through the solid portions of the walls.
It is more efficient to cover the block surface with insulation on the inside or outside of the foundation walls. The thermal mass of the blocks, which can help to regulate indoor temperatures, is contained within the conditioned space by placing insulation on the exterior.
Insulation is made of batts and rolls
The most popular and generally accessible type of insulation, blanket, comes in the form of rolls or batts. Flexible fibers, most frequently fiberglass, make up this substance. You can also obtain rolls and batts from synthetic fibers, natural fibers like cotton and sheep’s wool, and mineral (rock and slag) wool. Become familiar with these insulating materials.
Rigid foam or foam board
Almost every portion of your house, from the roof to the foundation, can be insulated with foam boards and rigid insulation panels. They work well for unique applications, including attic hatches, inside sheathing for the basement, and exterior wall sheathing. They offer solid thermal resistance (up to twice as much as most other insulating materials of the same thickness) and lessen heat transfer via supporting structures like steel and wood studs. The three materials most frequently used to create foam boards are polyurethane, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and polystyrene.
Insulation that is loose-fill and blown in
Small fiber, foam, or other material particles make up loose-fill insulation. These tiny particles combine to create an insulating material that can fit into any space without affecting finishes or structural elements. Due to its flexibility, loose-fill insulation is a good choice for retrofits and situations where other types of insulation would be challenging to install.
For loose-fill insulation, cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool are the most often utilized material types. These materials were all created utilizing recycled garbage. Recycled newsprint is mainly used to make cellulose. 40% to 60% of fiberglass goods contain recycled glass. Typically, mineral wool is made with 75% post-industrial recycled material.
Reflective insulation and radiant barriers
Radiant barriers and reflective insulation function by reflecting radiant heat, in contrast to most standard insulation systems, which oppose conductive and convective heat movement. The main reason radiant barriers are built in homes—typically in attics—is to lessen summer heat gain, lowering cooling expenses. In insulation systems using a range of backings, such as kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, as well as thermal insulation materials, reflective insulation contains reflective surfaces—typically aluminum foils.
Insulation Made of Rigid Fiber Boards
The main application for rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation, which is made of mineral wool or fiberglass material, is insulating air ducts in residential buildings. It is also employed when high temperature-resistant insulation is required. The thicknesses of these goods range from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.
HVAC contractors typically install insulation in air ducts after fabricating it in their shops or job sites. They can impale the insulation on weld pins and secure it with speed clips or washers on the outside duct surfaces. Additionally, they can use unique weld pins with built-in cupped head washers. Unfaced boards can be coated with canvas, weatherproof mastic, or strengthened insulating cement.
Insulation that is sprayed on and foamed in place
Insulation materials made of liquid foam can be sprayed, injected, foamed in place, or poured. To insulate and lessen air leakage, foam-in-place insulation can be blown into walls, on attic surfaces, or under floors. Some installations can fill even the smallest spaces and produce a greater R-value than conventional batt insulation for the same thickness. This results in an efficient air barrier. The compact pressurized cans of foam-in-place insulation can be used to stop air from leaking out of gaps and crevices like window and door frames, electrical and plumbing penetrations, and other openings.
Even many modern homes that aren’t regarded as “ancient” have inadequate insulation. To stop energy loss, each surface that divides a living area from the outside must be insulated. Attics, basements, knee walls, eaves, crawl spaces, garages, and other structures are some of the most typical places where energy is lost. Find out how we can be of help to you in battling the flu.
Poor insulation is probably the cause of any cold or drafty spots in your house. According to Energystar.gov, nine out of ten American homes are under-insulated. Call us at 617 20858 201867 to learn more about the insulation incentives offered to you.