Conserving at home with insulation improvements
August 18th 2010 01:30
Insulation performs the following thermal action:
1. Conserves energy by slowing heat transmission.
2. Reduces the size of heating and cooling equipment that a building needs according to the insulations R-value.
3. Prevents wintertime moisture by preventing low interior surface temperatures.
Insulation also carries with it some of the following benefits:
1. Reduces noise.
2.Helps slow down and prevent air leakage and water vapor transmission.
Let us talk about some of the characteristics that insulation may have. Insulation is installed in buildings cavities, attached to the building frame, or attached to the building exterior surfaces.
Insulation slows heat transmission in one important way.
It reduces heat radiation and air convection with in the cavities where it is installed.
Insulating materials are not as dense as other building materials which are conductors. They have millions of tiny air pockets within their fibers or bubbles in plastic foam insulation. These fibers and tiny bubbles help to slow down the process of heat transmission. Insulation’s density affects its R-value depending on it density.
Insulation’s ability to slow down heat flow is measured by it’s R-value. The R-value of any building assembly is determined by the following factors.
1. Type and density of the insulation.
2. Air leakage and convection through voids, gaps, or low insulation density.
3. Water’s presence within the cavities
INSULATION R-VALUES PER INCH
FIBERGLASS BATTS, BLOWN ,BOARD 2.6 - 4.2
CELLULOSE BLOWN 3.2 - 3.6
MINERAL WOOL BATTS 2.6 - 4.4
VERMICULITE or PEARLITE 2.1 - 2.4
EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE 3.6 - 4.4
EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE 5.0
POLYISOCYNAURATE BOARD 5.6 - 7.6
R-values vary by insulation type, density, and the quality of insulation.
By now I probably have bored you to death about some of the science involved in insulation. But I want you to understand how important insulation is in energy conservation. You can use all the green material you want to use and seal and caulk every split and crack you can and have no insulation and you have accomplished nothing. When is the last time you have taken a look in your attic? Chances are if you need to add insulation to your attic , you need to look in other places where insulation may need to be added. The attic is the very first place to start and take a look at your insulation. In later posts I will begin to try to look at the types of insulation and explain each type so you will know what to look for to help you conserve more energy at home and become green!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY CONSERVING!!!!!!!!!!
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