Insulation FAQs
What are the benefits of insulation?
Heating and cooling systems consume most of the energy used in the average American home. You’ll save on your energy costs if you reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. Insulation helps your home retain heat in cold weather and deflect heat in warm seasons.
Doesn’t my house already have insulation?
It may not have enough. In much of the housing in America, attic insulation levels are minimal at best. That’s because many home builders only offer standard (not optimal) levels of insulation in order to maintain competitive selling prices. Couple this with the fact that older insulation tends to settle over time, so if you live in an older home, you probably need to add insulation. But even in a newer home, additional insulation will save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself, and those savings will, of course, continue. Upgraded insulation will also increase the value of your house.
How does insulation work?
Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In cold weather, it flows from heated rooms to the unheated attic, garage or basement, or to the outdoors. In hot weather, heat flows from outside your home to its interior. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system, and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulation resists the flow of heat, preventing unwanted circulation. The living space of a well-insulated house will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, with less energy expenditure.
What is R-value?
The R-value rating refers to the insulation’s thermal resistance – its ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the specific type of insulation, its thickness and density. Installing more insulation in your home increases the total R-value and resistance to heat flow.