A new energy-efficient furnace will help you keep your home cozy, provided that it is insulated properly. If you have a nice furnace and still freeze during the winter, your home is probably poorly insulated. Fortunately, you can add insulation to your home any time. Doing so will not only make your home feel warmer, it will cut down on drafts and lower your heating bills. If you've been thinking about insulating your home, pay attention to the following three tips for choosing the best insulation for the job.
Select The Proper R-Value
The R-value of any type of insulation you choose is a critical piece of information that you must understand before you make a purchase. The R-value refers to the amount of heat that the insulation can retain. If your R-value is low, heat will escape from your home faster than if it is high. The R-value that's recommended for your home depends primarily on where you live. Homes in the south generally require lower R-ratings than homes in the blustery north. R-values range from R25 to R60.
Choose Your Material Wisely
There are many different types of materials that you can insulate your home with, including fiberglass, wool, cellulose and plastic fiber. Fiberglass batts and spray-in insulation are very popular for newly built homes and remodeling projects because they tend to have the highest R-value. However, it's very difficult to retrofit an existing home with this type of insulation. Plus, it's the least environmentally friendly of the bunch. If you have either of these concerns, you will have to choose something that can be blown into your walls through small drill holes.
Different types of insulation also have different levels of fire resistance. If you live in a home built primarily out of fire-retardant materials, such as brick, you may not have to worry about this factor as much. However, if you live in a wood-frame home, you should consider it carefully.
Install Insulation Correctly
Make sure that you install the insulation correctly or hire a professional, like Absolute Air Conditioning & Heating, to do it for you. If the insulation settles down too much in your walls, it won't do you any good. Compressed insulation also leads to problems. More is not better. Under compression, insulation loses R-value.
Insulating your home can keep you warmer and save you money. However, you have to be smart about the type of insulation you choose and how you install it.
Share