Insulation Essentials – 3 Ways To Stop Heat Leaks From Your Attic And Basement
Heat loss in the average home is one the major causes of high fuel use and money wasted on higher energy bills. In studies from the US government, the average house created as much pollution (via power plants) as the average automobile.
This is because of increased heating costs in order recover heat losses from thermal leaks in the attic and basement. As much as 40% of a home’s heat is loss though just these two areas alone. By eliminating your home’s heat leaks with insulation, you will both save money in the long term and reduce greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide).
If you have ever wanted to know how to reduce or eliminate heating loss in your home, then read this article to discover some tips on insulation essentials.
Why Use Insulation?
The essentials of insulation are actually very simple. The comfort level in any home is automatically improved by increasing the insulation and cutting down on heat loss. A good thermal covering of insulation will help keep you warm in cold weather yet cooler in the hottest months.
This is because heat naturally moves from a warm space to a cooler one. During cold months, heated air automatically seeks to travel from inside you nice and toasty house into the colder outside environment.. In summer the reverse airflow occurs, where hot outside air seeks to move into the cooler interior of your home. Insulation slows down this airflow process
Insulation Essentials Tip #1
Get the highest R-Value as possible. Most insulation is rated according to its R-Value. This is a scientifically certified measurement of how much the material can resist or slow down heat flow. The higher the R-value rating the better the insulation can resist heat transfer.
But bear in mind that R-values can be added together. This means that two affordable R-value materials layered together have the same effect as a single layer of higher but more expensive one.
Insulation Essentials Tip # 2
Control Moisture. The most common insulation is fiberglass and it is ideal for controlling moisture. Since fiberglass is inorganic and doesn’t absorb or retain water, it is very resistant to mold or mildew.
This is very important since hot air contains a good deal of water vapor and as this moisture laden air travels from inside the house to the outside it can condense within walls, ceilings and flooring. This can cut the efficiency of the insulation, not to mention create an excellent environment for the growth of mold spores.
Insulation Essentials Tip # 3
Use Moisture Vapor Barriers. As mentioned above, even the best of insulation can be comprised because of moisture. You may think that your home is water tight but the ordinary use of domestic water for cooking and cleaning can increase household humidity more than you would think.
This is why one the best but most often overlooked insulation essentials is using vapor barriers in combination with your insulation material.
Now that you understand a little bit more about the insulation essentials and why they so important to controlling heat loss in your home, you can start exploring the different types of insulation materials available to you.
