A study done by the Harvard University School of Public Health indicated that 65% or close to 2/3 of the homes in the United States are poorly-insulated. Most homes built earlier than 2003 are under-insulated according to today’s standards.
Properly insulating your home is a must. A standard HVAC system is responsible for 50% to 70% of its energy consumption. If your home is not properly insulated, the HVAC system becomes very costly to operate. A properly insulated home:
- Helps your HVAC system use less energy to operate.
- Keeps your house comfortable by maintaining an even temperature throughout the house
- Keeps the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer
What Insulation Materials are Currently Used to Insulate a Home?
The list of materials keeps growing. Here are the most common:
- Cellulose: Recycled newspapers, magazines and cardboard are shredded, pulverized and made into a loose fill material.
- Fiberglass: Silica sand is used along with recycled glass. This is melted and then fiberized to create stands of woven insulation material. If is used in the form of a batt or loose fill for the attic.
- Mineral Wool: Rocks and Limestone are crushed. Recycled slag from foundries is added. This is melted down and then spun into strands. This is made into panels, batts and loose fill.
- Sprayfoam: Spray foam is the combination of two chemicals: a resin and isocyanate. These are combined, when sprayed to create a plastic barrier.
All of these products have their best uses. All of them have great thermal properties. Not all of them can control sound, well.
