subject: Energy Efficient Homes. [print this page] Different houses need varying amount of insulation, depending upon factors such as climate, building construction and budget, among others. It is important that you get your house reviewed by a builder to know the amount of insulation required, as per the local building code. Attics, outside walls and duct insulation, along with insulation of other different parts of the house, are generally required in every house to minimize the overall energy loss. Other parts that needs to be insulated includes basement walls, knee walls, cathedral ceilings, bathroom walls as well as ceilings and floors with unheated spaces, such as porches and garages.
There are different types of insulation, such as batt insulation and blown in insulation, which are installed in residential and commercial buildings. Fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool and foam are the different insulation materials that are available in the market today. There are several factors that one has to keep into consideration to ensure proper insulation. For areas that are difficult to reach, spray on foam insulation is an ideal choice. For lowering the heat loss through windows, you may use vinyl windows, which are more effective as well as easy to install, instead of aluminum, fiberglass and wood windows.
Furthermore, you can use Batt Insulation for unfinished wall, floors, ceilings and foundation walls. Moreover, for the wall cavities, enclosed existing walls and attics, among others, loose-fill or Blown in Insulation is perfect. In addition, you can further enhance energy efficiency by using fiberglass Duct Insulation as improperly insulated and sealed ducts waste a lot of energy. Hence, depending upon the area to be insulated you need to wisely choose the insulation material and type. While you are at it, ensure that effectiveness and quality precedes over its costs.
Moreover, a well insulated home not only helps you do your bit towards reducing your household's carbon footprint but also saves you money on energy bill. Further, properly insulated house increases the overall comfort of the house as well as enhance its energy efficiency, along with appreciating the monetary value of your house.
