Building insulation

From Green Wiki

Wikipedia:Building insulation refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose. Whilst the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation. Often an insulation material will be chosen for its ability to perform several of these functions at once.

This article will focus on aspects of green insulation.

[edit] Background

Unless your home was designed with energy efficiency in mind, adding insulation can be a good way to save money. Most older homes were built without much insulation, which can mean high energy bills. Even if your home is new, more insulation can pay for itself in a few years and increase your home’s resale value.

The FTC requires insulation manufacturers and sellers to test and label their products. Generally, the higher the “R-value” the more energy you can save. When you buy insulation, installers and retailers have to give you an R-value fact sheet. New home sellers must give you information about the type, thickness, and R-value of the insulation in each part of the house. Many state or local building codes include minimum requirements for home insulation. Be sure your new home or home addition meets those codes. It will save you money in the long run.

The amount of insulation you need depends on the climate, the part of the house, and the type of heating and cooling systems (gas, oil, or electric) you have. Your attic is the best place to start. The Department of Energy has an online calculator to help you decide what’s right for you.

The type of insulation used will also have varying degrees of impact on the environment. Some of the newer types of insulation for example are much more environmentally friendly than the more traditional ones. Most modern houses are using the industry standard spray foam insulation which is proven to not only be the most effective but also offers an environmentally friendly solution. Newly built homes and existing households must consider insulation levels as part of the new home information pack. Green insulation is a consideration that more and more people are looking into when developing new homes.

[edit] Green insulating material

• Denim insulation or more generally cotton insulation. Cotton insulation uses scrap or recycled cotton to create eco-friendly insulation.