There are many reasons why you might choose to insulate your home:

* Save money on your energy bills. Inadequate insulation is a leading cause of energy waste in most American homes.
* Be more comfortable. Reduce hot/cold areas; stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
* Reduce your dependence on limited energy resources. As supply is limited, costs rise.
* Reduce your impact on the environment. Energy production harms the environment. Use less and help the planet.

How Much Can I Save?

The amount of energy – and money – you can save depends on several factors:

* Your local climate
* House characteristics (size, shape, age, construction materials, orientation, window types and density).
* Efficiency of your heating and cooling systems
* Type of fuel used. As fuel cost increases, so do your savings!
* Your family’s living habits, energy usage patterns

How Insulation Works

Insulation works by reducing the movement of air, to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. More specifically, air moves naturally from a warmer space to a cooler place. So in winter, the heated air inside your home wants to escape to the outside, or to the unheated spaces of your home, such as the attic, crawl space or garage. Insulation helps to keep the warm air from escaping, which prevents your heating source from working unnecessarily.

In the summer, the opposite is true. As hot outdoor air tries to infiltrate your home, insulation prevents the heat transfer so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable.

What is the Best Type of Insulation?

There is no single right answer to this question. There is only a best type for your specific needs, which depends on several factors, including:

* Amount of insulation required
* Accessibility of the space to be insulated
* Amount of space available for the insulation
* Price and availability of various types of insulation
* Personal preferences and considerations

When comparing different insulation products (batt, blanket, loose fill, low-density foam and reflective), it is important to compare equal R-values.

What is an R-Value?
The R-Value of insulation is its amount of thermal resistance, or its ability to resist heat flow. A higher R-value means greater insulating effectiveness. The R-value of insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness and its density. To calculate the R-value of multiple layers of insulation, simply add the R-values of the individual layers.

Your Home Energy Team expert can help you choose the right insulation for your needs.  Schedule a Home Energy Analysis Today!