Most of you are very aware of the need for insulation in your homes. It has been studied and documented many times. The Department of Energy states that adding insulation can reduce your heating and cooling bill 10 to 30 percent. Certain forms of insulation are not as efficient in all climates or locations within the home. The main areas to be insulated are the attic and the walls. If you have a basement, your home's foundation also needs insulation. What kinds of insulation work best and where? Read on.CelluloseMade mainly from recycled paper, it requires the least amount of energy to produce. Being a loose-fill form of insulation, it can be blown into wall cavities as well as the attic space. It is not for use in the foundation areas. Dampness causes it to get moldy, possibly causing air quality issues down the road. It also loses its R-value (ability to resist heat flow) over time.CottonMainly made from scrap cotton in denim manufacturing and comes as batts (rolls of insulation), cotton is also available as loose-fill. Again, a high moisture level creates a problem. Broken Arrow does have higher rainfall in the fall, but it is mainly occurs in the spring.FiberglassFiberglass requires extensive manufacturing, but gives the best insulation. Its effectiveness and its effect on air quality requires proper installation. Strict codes are now in place. The loose-fill form is more efficient than the batts, unless high-density batts are used. The latter is best for colder climates.Foam InsulationsThis type requires the most refining of raw materials, but it also has a high R-value.
Polyiso: A rigid foam board with a foil layer for radiant effectiveness. Do not use for very damp applications.
Polystyrene: Recylable. Extruded form is sold in sheets, with a paper lining on both sides. Expanded form is made of beads. Also used for coolers.
Polyurethane: An expanding foam spray used to fill cavities. It creates an airtight barrier.
Mineral WoolIt requires extensive extraction, but is good for damp areas as it retains its R-value when wet. It comes as batts and loose-fill.To learn which kinds of insulation best fits your home's needs, contact Air Assurance and we will help you through the process. We know which best fits our climate and local housing construction.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “John Kasawa/Shutterstock”