Insulation FAQs

Insulating your home properly is a great way to save money on your heating and cooling costs each month. If you have never upgraded your insulation, you probably stand to save a significant amount when you do. However, the exact amount you save depends on a variety of factors and the particulars of your situation.

For instance, if you had very little effective insulation to begin with, an upgrade will have a significant impact on your home energy costs. It’s estimated that you can reduce your annual home heating and cooling costs by anywhere from 10% to 50 % with the addition of proper insulation. Where you fall within this range obviously has a lot to do with the state of your insulation before renovations.

The R-value of a type of insulation is a reflection of its ‘thermal resistance’ or how well it resists allowing heat to flow through it. A higher R-value denotes a material with better insulation capabilities. This is useful information to keep in mind when trying to pick out the right type of insulation for your home. The various types of insulation out there can vary considerably in thickness and overall appearance, but regardless of that, the best one will be the one with the highest R-value.

Of course, you do not always need the most powerful insulation. Knowing the relative R-values of your insulation options is only the first step towards determining which material is right for your home. In general, the higher the R-value of a type of insulation, the more expensive it is, and you don’t want to spend more if you do not have to. The best thing to do in this situation is to talk to an insulation professional so that they can help you make a more informed decision about which product to use in your home.

Radiant barriers are an excellent addition to many homes. They help to keep your house cool all summer long by sending the sun’s heat right back out the way it came. But they may not be appropriate under every circumstance. In order to find out if a radiant barrier is really what your home needs, talk to an insulation professional today. They can help you understand exactly what the cost-benefit relationship will be for you and give you the information you need to make an informed decision about radiant barriers.

There are many types of insulation projects and some are actually very straightforward. However, because proper installation of insulation has such an impact on the energy efficiency of your home, it is worth making sure it is done right. Having an expert come out and install your insulation is the best way to make sure everything is done exactly to code. Some of the materials used in insulation and in its installation can be hazardous and professionals are trained to handle those types of issues as well.