Are you throwing money out the window? Yeah, you.

 

          One of the key issues in energy efficiency is the insulation of your home. Proper insulation levels will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When properly insulated this will be achieved more efficiently, thus at a lower energy cost for the homeowner.

            There are several vital areas for insulation in your home. We will go over those areas here, and look at each area closely. All of these areas work in conjunction together, to form a proper insulation barrier for your home.

            Before we get started we need to know a little bit about insulation first. What types of insulation do we need, how much insulation do we need. These questions can be answered by your local contractor much better. Different regions have different building practices, so one type of insulation may work great in Wisconsin, but would not work well in Arizona. For this reason, I advise you consult with a professional before installing your own insulation.

            We also need to know the R-value of the insulation we're planning to install. Insulation is labeled and identified by its' R-value. The "R" stands for resistance to flow, specifically heat flow. The higher the number, the greater resistance to heat flow. So, an insulation with an R-value of 6/inch would have less R-value than insulation with an R-value of 9/inch.

            In most regions there are requirements as to what the R-value needs to be in a new home. Say that R-value is R-38. What does that mean? We will need to figure out how much insulation we need to get to R-38. Using the numbers above, we will go with the value of R-9, for the sake of simple math. Divide 38 by and come up with your answer. With these numbers you would need a little over 4 inches of insulation to reach a level of R-38. These numbers vary greatly, depending upon types of insulations, so check with your local contractor or building supply store first.

            Now, we will start at the top of the home first, the attic. An attic needs to be properly insulated to control energy loss. In most attics, the insulation is installed between the ceiling joists. You need to ensure that all areas are fully covered with insulation, while still being careful not to block off any baffles to the soffit area. Doing this will block air flow and may cause other problems. Be very careful with recessed lighting in the attic areas, make sure light cans are fire rated. Also, be very careful to watch for electrical hazards in the attic. If any are found, contact a qualified electrician to make repairs. Once this is complete, with proper R-value attained, we can move down the house.

            Exterior walls also need to be insulated. Most exterior walls are 2x4 built, so we will need an R-value of R-13. If they home is 2X6 framed we will need an R-value of R-19. The exterior wall insulation is one of the areas where the most mistakes are made in home insulation. The insulation needs to be installed in its' poofy state. You do not want to crush this and wedge it into the wall cavity. By compressing the insulation, you are decreasing its' R-value. Make sure you have the correct thickness to the insulation before installation. Make sure all areas around windows and doors are properly insulated before drywall is replaced. You do not want to find out later that you missed some spots, this could be costly.

            Finished basements will also need to be insulated. Most of the time in a basement you will be installing a rigid type of insulation. You will then tape off all the seams, to prevent moisture from wicking into the wood framing for the finished wall. Then in the cavity of the wall frame you will install the fiberglass insulation.

            There are a few other areas of the home that need to be insulated as well. If you have heat ducts that run through an unheated crawl space, or under an unheated porch, these will need to be insulated as well, with the appropriate material. The same will apply to any plumbing pipes running through these areas.

            When installing the insulation follow all manufacturers' guidelines. If you are installing paper backed insulation, remember, the paper always goes towards the warm side of the house. This is a very common installation mistake. While it is a common mistake, it can be very costly, due to trapping moisture and creating humidity in wall cavities.

            Remember, a properly insulated home is a more efficient home. Spending money to properly insulate will save a lot of money on energy costs. This is not only good for your pocket book; it is great for the environment. This can also increase the lifespan of some of the components of your home such as the roof.

 

Here are some general guidelines regarding R-Values

•·         R-4 ratings will apply to plumbing pipes in unheated areas.

•·         R-7 ratings will apply to heating ducts in unheated areas.

•·         R-13 ratings are used for exterior walls, crawlspace and basement walls if heated.

•·         R-19 is used for 2x6 exterior walls, floors over unheated spaces, such as an entry porch, knee    walls, and roof slopes.

•·         R-30 ratings apply to ceilings below attics in most southern states.

•·         R-38 ratings apply to ceilings below attics in most northern states.

            Good luck in keeping your home properly insulated. This is one of the ways you can really save a lot of money in your energy bills.

 

Ian Niquette

WI Home Inspector
Square One Home Inspection proudly serves Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Dodge, Marquette, Columbia, Winnebago, and Waushara Counties. Complete home inspections and Radon testing available. Call today for a free price quote. Available 7 days a week.
Markesan WI 53946