Insulation Can Reduce Energy Bills
Insulating Home Attic and Walls Can Dramatically Lower Fuel Costs
Adding more insulation to the right places can dramatically reduce home heating bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The North America Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada (NAIMA) offers useful information on how adding more insulation to your home that will save fuel costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many houses lose up to 50% of the energy used to heat them due to inadequate levels of insulation. Upgrading just the attic and wall insulation can produce a savings of 5% to 10%.
Insulate any space that can allow energy to be lost. Here are some areas of interest to a homeowner and remember that R-values are measurements of thermal resistance:
Attics and Ceilings - Since heat rises, adequate insulation of the attic or ceiling is vital to prevent the loss of heated air. Most homes need to have an additional layer of insulation ranging from R-8 to R-30 installed. Blown-in, mineral wool or fiberglass are effective insulating materials. If you are adding a second layer of fiberglass batting, run the second course perpendicular to the original material. Having a combined insulation rating of R-55 in your ceiling will save energy costs.
Walls - Walls dividing heated and unheated spaces like garages are often un-insulated. Wall thickness will dictate the amount of insulation that can be installed. Four inch thick (2 x 4) walls can take R-12 to R-14 fiberglass batts, and six inch (2 x 6) walls are able to accommodate R-19 to R-22 insulation. Avoid compressing insulation designed for six inch walls into four inch ones. Insulation should fit into spaces snugly, but works best when it's not compressed.
Floors - Fiberglass insulation can be cut to fit into the spaces between floor joists. Use a minimum of R-20 insulation. Install R-25 batts in the ceilings of unheated spaces like crawlspaces or garages that might lie below a floor.
Foundations - Un-insulated walls and floors of basements and crawlspaces can cause up to 25% of a home's heat loss. If the crawlspace or basement is not heated, insulate between the floor joists of the heated room above. Use at least a R-25 level of insulation. If the basement is heated, the concrete walls can be furred out and insulated before finishing drywall is installed.
Adding insulation is part of an overall construction system that uses an external moisture barrier, adequate insulation, a vapor barrier on the warm side of installed insulation, good ventilation and energy efficient doors and window. Many home insulation projects are suitable for the Do It Yourselfer and there are many qualified contractors that specialize in this type of work. Check your Registry of Contractors for qualified leads to reputable companies.
