Everyone is looking for ways to save some cash nowadays, and there are numerous online articles on achieving this. You will, however, not much do for your budget if you cannot reduce your building’s energy expenses since these are the most significant. Heating and cooling the building consume the highest energy in your building, regardless of the method you choose. Fortunately, there is an alternative for cutting back on your heating and cooling costs without affecting your indoor comfort. This answer lies in insulating your property.
Efficient home insulation contractors based in Houston, Texas will have different solutions for you. They fall into three primary categories: bulk, spray-foam, and reflective insulation. Bulk insulation is the leading choice for most homeowners. This works by trapping the cooled or heated indoor air in your property in its tiny bubbles. In so doing, it averts the flow of heat or cold air into and out of your indoors, thus maintaining the right temperature and lowering your heating and cooling costs. The following are your bulk insulation options:
Batt and Blanket Insulation
This is available in rolls that are convenient to transport. Its installation requires expertise to guarantee that it fits well around your electrical outlets and plumbing. The R-value of batt and blanket insulation is 3-4/inch, and it comes in plastic and natural fibers, fiberglass, and mineral wool. It is suited for floors and ceilings, though it compresses easily and might easily lose its insulation value this way.
Board Insulation
This is available in polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, and polyurethane. Board insulation can be used virtually anywhere in your property and provides up to two times more thermal resistance than other options. It also reduces heat conduction through your property’s structural elements such as steel and wood studs.
Loose-fill Insulation
This comprises small foam or fiber materials. As such, loose-fill insulation conforms to virtually all spaces with minimal disturbance on various finishes. This makes it ideal for locations and retrofits where it is hard to install other insulation types. The insulation is available in fiberglass, cellulose, and slag or rock wool. Loose-fill fiberglass has an R-value of 2.2-2.7/inch, while cellulose has 3.2-3.8/inch.
Structured Insulated Panels (SIPs)
These are available in the form of straw or liquid foam insulation core and foam board. They are ideal for unfinished ceilings, floors, and walls and the roofs in new constructions. SIPs have a uniform and superior insulation and will take less time to install than other options. They are available in polystyrene and polyisocyanurate. Polystyrene SIPs have an R-value of 3.8-5/inch, while polyisocyanurate SIPs have an R-value of 5.6-7.7/inch.
There are different criteria that you should follow when choosing one option from the above for your home’s insulation. The correct thickness, width, and R-value of the product, as well as the intended area of installation, are some of the elements that you should consider. While some products come with instructions on their installation, do not be fooled into assuming that this is a DIY project. Clumsy installation of your insulation will cause the loss of its efficiency by at least 30 to 40%. Professional insulation might thus be expensive initially but guarantees long-lasting energy saving for your home.
