Insulation plays a crucial role in regulating the temperature of your home by preventing excessive heat loss or gain. It is a fundamental principle of physics that heat energy always moves from a warmer area to a cooler area. Unfortunately, when it comes to household comfort and energy bills, this heat energy typically moves in the wrong direction. During winter, the heat generated by your furnace naturally escapes to the colder outside, causing heating costs to soar. In summer, outdoor heat infiltrates your air-conditioned living spaces, leading to higher cooling expenses as your A/C unit runs longer cycles to keep your home cool. Insulation serves to inhibit the transfer of heat through radiation and conduction, thereby reducing the heat flow through materials like wood. It is rated based on its R-value, which measures its relative heat resistance. A higher R-value indicates better insulation that can better prevent heat transfer. The attic is often the prime target for insulation upgrades in most homes. As heat naturally rises, the heat loss from living spaces to the cold attic during winter is very high. In contrast, during summer, solar energy overheats the attic, causing it to radiate heat down through the ceiling into the rooms below. Typically, about 25% of heat loss or gain in most homes happens through the attic.
If you’re considering upgrading your insulation, we can help with a free energy audit or free home consultation to help you make an informed decision. An energy audit can identify areas of your home that require insulation and suggest the best materials for your specific needs. As specialists, we are very happy to help with that, but if you need more information about it, just keep reading that we are going to tell you everything you need to know about it.
How Much Is Enough?
The Department of Energy regularly updates its recommendations for insulation levels as energy costs increase. If your home is at least a decade old and you haven’t made any insulation upgrades, it may not meet current DOE standards for adequate insulation. A house that is tightly sealed and well-insulated can save up to 40% on heating and cooling costs compared to a poorly insulated home. Upgrading to the recommended level of insulation by the DOE can pay for itself through energy savings in as little as four to five years. There are three main types of home insulation: fiberglass batts, cellulose loose-fill, and spray foam. In some of the colder parts of New York, it is recommended to have attic R-values in the 50s.
Fiberglass Insulation
The most popular type of insulation for homes is fiberglass batts, which resembles pink cotton candy and can be found at most home improvement stores. This insulation is made up of spun glass fibers sandwiched between paper or foil backing and pre-cut to fit standard sizes for installation between ceiling joists in the attic and framing studs in walls. Its easy-to-use design allows for quick installation. Fiberglass batts have a standard insulating R-value of approximately 3.2 per inch in the attic. To determine if you need to add more insulation to meet current Department of Energy minimum standards, multiply the total depth of installed fiberglass batts in inches by 3.2 and compare it to the insulation zone map.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Fiberglass Insulation
- Low cost -The most affordable insulating material, fiberglass is readily available on the consumer market.
- Straightforward installation – Installation of pre-cut fiberglass batts in the attic requires no special tools and required skills are not very demanding. Any insulation or HVAC contractor can handle the job quickly and efficiently.
X Economical. Fiberglass is the cheapest insulation material available and can be easily purchased by consumers.
X Simple installation process. The installation of fiberglass batts in the attic is uncomplicated and does not require any specialized tools or high-level skills. It can be carried out quickly and efficiently by insulation or HVAC contractors. Some homeowners opt to add extra fiberglass batts on top of existing layers to achieve the suggested depth, which can be a straightforward do-it-yourself task on a cool day in the attic.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is a type of loose insulation material that consists of tiny particles made from pulverized paper and cloth, which have been treated with a fire retardant. The material is then blown into the attic and wall spaces under air pressure using hoses. Once installed in the attic, cellulose insulation appears like heaps of freshly fallen snow, covering the floor. Compared to fiberglass batts, cellulose has a moderately higher R-value of at least 3.8 per inch.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Cellulose Insulation
- Due to its ability to fill all irregular areas of the attic floor, loose cellulose particles offer superior coverage, eliminating the need to tailor pieces for specific spaces.
- Cellulose is often the simplest choice for attic insulation upgrades. Adding a layer of loose-fill insulation to cover an existing layer of fiberglass batts is an easy process and improves the R-value considerably.
- Besides its heat transfer inhibiting properties, a thick layer of cellulose also reduces air leakage to some extent (although sealing any identifiable cracks and gaps in the ceiling and between walls is still advised to prevent leaks).
- Without the need to remove the entire wall, cellulose can be blown into existing walls through small access hoses, unlike fiberglass batts.
- Cellulose in walls and attics also has some soundproofing effects, reducing noise transmission throughout the house.
X Cellulose insulation is slightly more expensive than fiberglass.
X As it requires a motorized hopper, air pressure, and large-diameter hoses, installing cellulose insulation is generally a task for professionals and not recommended for do-it-yourself projects.
X If cellulose insulation becomes damp or saturated due to water ingress, such as a leaky roof in the attic, it may not dry easily and can create a favorable environment for mold growth. In case the wet area is significant and toxic mold is a concern, the material may need to be removed. Before installing cellulose insulation, it’s essential to inspect the roof’s condition and carry out any necessary repairs.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF) is created by blending two liquid chemical components, which result in a chemical reaction when sprayed onto surfaces like the underside of roofs or inside wall voids. The mixture quickly expands to fill in gaps and cracks, then dries into a firm cellular material that provides good to excellent insulation.
SPF insulation is available in two varieties: closed-cell and open-cell. Closed-cell SPF is the more economical choice, while open-cell provides superior insulation capabilities, enhanced water resistance, and greater strength and rigidity.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Spray Foam Insulation
- SPF has an excellent R-factor, with closed-cell insulation often exceeding 6.0 per inch and providing better insulation than open-cell, which usually offers about R-3.5 per inch.
- SPF is versatile and can adapt to virtually any surface, creating a continuous insulating barrier that covers uneven surfaces, curves, and corners.
- SPF fills gaps effectively and provides superb air sealing.
- SPF also has good soundproofing capabilities.
- SPF can be sprayed into wall cavities through access holes without the need to open up the wall.
X Spray foam insulation is the most expensive option, with costs that can be two or three times higher than fiberglass batts or cellulose loose-fill insulation.
X Expertise is crucial for properly mixing and applying spray foam insulation, which can only be done by trained professionals.
X There is a risk of excess application and additional expenses due to overspray. If the spray foam is not consistently and carefully applied, there may be an excessive amount of it, resulting in additional costs.
X If spray foam insulation is applied to the wooden underside of roof sheathing, it may trap moisture in the wood that has penetrated through the shingles. This could speed up the decay and rot of these materials.
X Some individuals may be sensitive to the chemicals contained in the spray foam formula, which may cause them to have allergic reactions.
All those options above has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on various factors such as cost, availability, and effectiveness. Cellulose insulation is eco-friendly and made from recycled materials but can settle over time. Fiberglass insulation is cost-effective, readily available, but can cause irritation if not handled properly. Spray foam insulation is highly effective, but expensive and can be challenging to install.
It’s important remind you that the best way to choose which one use in your house is getting a free energy audit, because an energy audit can help identify areas of your home that require insulation and suggest the best materials for your specific needs. Additionally, we can help you to get some incentives or rebates for homeowners who opt for energy-efficient insulation. In conclusion, while there’s no single best insulation material, getting a free energy audit can help you make an informed decision and potentially save money in the long run. If you live in Westchester area, Bronx or Orange county you just need to contact us to schedule an energy audit, if you live in somewhere else you can check with your local government: Some local government agencies offer free energy audits or energy consultations as part of their energy efficiency programs.
