Insulation is an important part of a home because it influences heating and cooling costs. If you want low energy bills and total comfort throughout every season, you must pick proper insulation for your entire house. This guide can help you get started as it has information about general home insulation options, pros and cons, and more.
Different Types of Insulation and Benefits
- Loose-fill insulation: Loose-fill insulation is made of small fiber particles, foam material, and other components. This type of insulation fits snugly in any environment without interfering with finishes and structures.
- Insulation batts: This insulation is very dense and strong. It’s usually made of rock wool or fiberglass. In most homes, batt insulation is placed in floors or in the attic. It also fits well in between framing.
- Insulation rolls: Insulation rolls are flexible because they’re made of fiberglass. This is the most popular type of insulation for most homes.
- Foam board insulation: Foam insulation is very rigid and tough. Because these panels have great thermal-resistant properties, they can effectively trap air in any area in a house.
- Spray foam insulation: Spray foam insulation is often used in places that have open cavities. It works well in crawl spaces and attics because it always maintains its shape.
Insulation Cons
Thanks to new advancements in the home insulation industry, most insulation materials are designed efficiently, so they don’t have any major cons. Typically, only a few insulation options have some minor disadvantages.
Loose-fill insulation has only one con; it can gradually compress over time. If this insulation becomes too flat, it will lose its ability to properly insulation space.
Spray-foam insulation has a great R-value. The only problem is the price. When compared to other options, spray-foam insulation is more expensive.
If you pick ridge-foam insulation, you’ll need to scout the installation area thoroughly to find awkward corners. Since ridge-foam insulation is wide, it doesn’t fit snugly in these types of corners or around obstacles.
Green Building Materials
After you have new insulation in your home, you may want to invest in green building materials. This type of material will complement the insulation by providing beauty, strength, and energy perks. The following green building materials are highly recommended:
- Bamboo: Bamboo flooring is as strong as concrete. It’s very easy to maintain in a high-traffic area.
- Cork: Cork performs well in any space because it’s buoyant and resilient. You’ll appreciate its ability to resist moisture and its sound-absorbing properties.
- Recycled wood: Recycled wood is very durable and strong. This material gets its strength from trees that have tight wood grains. Thanks to the tighter grain structure and dense core, recycled wood retains heat like insulation.
Tips for Saving Energy
Before you leave a room that’s cooled by a fan, shut of the fan. A fan that’s running won’t provide any benefits while no one is in a room, and as the motor produces power, it will gradually add more heat in the space.
Whenever you use your HVAC system to cool the home, close every drape in all rooms. This strategy will help your system operate more effectively without working hard. While the drapes are closed, they will block intense sunlight can interfere with your HVAC system’s cooling cycles. In the winter, instead of shutting the drapes, keep them open during the day as the HVAC system heats the home. If the sun is shining outdoors, its UV rays will additional heat, and this will speed up your air conditioner’s heating cycles.
During every wash cycle, a washer uses a lot of energy. Nearly 90 percent of this energy is used to produce hot water. If you wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot water, you’ll get the same results and save energy. The appliance industry is ahead of the curve, which is why the newest high-efficiency washers are now built for cold water detergents.
In the kitchen, the refrigerator pulls electricity frequently as it cools food and drinks, and it uses more energy when certain foods release moisture. The moisture basically interferes with the compressor as it produces cold air. To help your compressor conserve energy, wrap all foods that contain moisture.
These strategies can help you pick the right insulation for your home. If you need help finding a supplier, Knauf Insulation is worth considering. After the insulation is installed, use the energy tips to regulate your energy bills.