If your home gets too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter and your heating bills are causing you “sticker shock,” it’s time to check on your home’s insulation needs.
According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), nearly 90 percent of single-family homes need additional insulation. Good insulation seals cracks, air leaks and gaps to prevent hot air from pouring out of your roof. Essentially, insulation decreases the amount of heat entering from outside when it is hot and traps warmth inside when it’s cold. The results: Temperatures are more comfortable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates homeowners can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs or an average of 11 percent on total energy costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and accessible basement rim joists. That is an average of $200 a year.
Although there are a variety of types of insulation available, the NAIMA suggests fiberglass (the most common insulation) or mineral wool as the best choices for attic insulation. Other options are cellulose, spray foam, natural fibers and denim made from recycled jeans. Any of these materials is available in the form of loose-fill, batts, rolls, foam board, spray foam and radiant barriers.
A key factor in choosing insulation material is its R-value which measures how resistant types of insulation are to heat flow. The resistance is based on the type, thickness and density of the insulation material. A higher R-value means better climate control and better energy efficiency for your home. However, the choice of which R-value to use depends to a large extent on what would be most energy efficient for the region where your home is located. The cost to install insulation can range from $800 to $2,800 with a national average of $1,850.
By consulting with a reputable insulation contractor, homeowners can come up with a plan for installing the right insulation–an energy-saving protective barrier between you and outside conditions.
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