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Saving Energy with Insulation

light.jpgAccording to Harvard School of Public Health, if you have a home built in the last five to ten years, it is most likely one of 46 million homes that are under-insulated in the U.S.  Properly insulating your home with fiberglass, rock wool, or slag wool insulation can help to improve comfort, conserve energy, and save money on utility bills (EHJournal.net).

How does insulation work?

Insulation surrounds the areas of your home with a material such as fiberglass, rock wool or slag wool that is meant to slow heat from flowing from one area of the home to another. Insulation also provides a sound barrier between walls and buildings (NAIMA.org). 

Insulation and the Environment

Homes and buildings that are properly insulated are considered energy efficient because less energy is required in order to keep the building at a comfortable temperature.  A reduction in energy consumption results in less greenhouse gases being released into the environment. Gases such as CO2 and NOx are linked to global warming and pollution.  Properly insulating a home helps to reduce these emissions (USAInulsation.net).

Where to insulate in your home

The wall and attic of a home are where the majority of the insulation in a home is placed. However, insulation should also be considered above ceilings that have unheated spaces, walls in the basement, and beneath floors that cover garages or porches that are not heated. Cathedral ceilings and vented crawl spaces are other areas of the home that would benefit from insulation.

Installing Insulation

Some types of installation can be self-installed. Typically the homeowner can easily install rock wool, fiberglass, and slag wool, roll installation. Installation that is blown in requires a blowing machine and should be done by professional installers.

Finding Insulation Contractors

Your local utility company should have a list of licensed contractors that they can recommend to install installation. When choosing a contractor ask your family and friends for recommendations and check to see if any of them have ever used the contractor you are considering.  You will also want to contact the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) to check for a licensed, certified contractor. 

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember to check references of the contractors.
  • Make sure the contractors are properly insured.
  • Before the employees of the contractor arrive, find out how they are paid. Ask if they are paid by the square inch or by the hour. If they are paid by the square inch they might hurry through the installation process just to get done.
  • Check what type of insulation is used. Ask the contractor to show you the label for his insulation. If he does not have a label, do not hire him because you will not know what the quality of the insulation is.
  • When checking for quality insulation look the R values, not inches of the insulation.
  • Make sure to ask for a receipt. The Federal Trade Commission requires contractors to give you a receipt by law. 

For more information on the energy saving effects of insulation please refer to the links below:

  • NAIMA:  A comprehensive guide to insulation. Includes information on installation and hiring a contractor. 
  • ASTM: Lists the standards for insulation materials found in the U.S. 
  • BCAP: The building codes assistant project aides states in developing proper energy codes. 
  • IRS Energy Efficiency Tax Code for Homeowners: Homeowners can qualify for up to $500 in tax credits for installation of energy saving insulation. 
  • ASE: The Alliance to Save Energy is an educational resource that includes a home energy audit and lesson plans for teaching energy conservation. 
  • American Gas Association:  The American Gas Association represents close to 200 gas companies. 
  • American Public Power Association:  This association represent more than 2000 utility companies. 

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