Home Insulation 101

You may be wondering why we’re talking about home insulation on a blog focused on heating and air conditioning. Well, the simple fact is that the insulation in your home works hand-in-hand with both your air conditioning and heating system. With the arrival of fall, and winter just around the corner, having a basic understanding of insulation may help you spot opportunities to increase the overall energy efficiency of your home.

Below you’ll find the four basic types of insulation and what applications they are best suited for. No matter which insulation type you are planning to use, make sure it is Energy Star rated.

• Blanket Insulation (also known as batt or roll insulation): this form of insulation is usually made from fiberglass or plastic fibers and is ideal for unfinished walls, floors and ceilings. It comes in a variety of R Values (a measure of thermal resistance) so make sure to choose which is best for your application.
• Rigid Foam Insulation: is normally made from polystyrene or polyurethane. It works well in floors and ceilings and is usually used in un-vented low-slope roofs or the exterior of your home.
• Loose Fill and Blow in Insulation: this is a type of home insulation made from cellulose or fiberglass. It’s mostly used for existing enclosed walls and unfinished attics.
• Sprayed Foam: is best suited for enclosed existing walls, new wall cavities and unfinished attics and ceilings. Please note that certified installers are needed for this, so shop wisely when choosing a contractor..

If you seize opportunities to better insulate your home for optimal energy efficiency, you’ll not only be more comfortable throughout the year, you’ll see significant savings in your energy bills.