subject: Thermal and acoustical insulation for your house [print this page] Thermal and acoustical insulation for your house
The rate at which natural resources are depleting is a good indicator that in no time, the earth will run out of them. A number of measures have been taken in order to control the pace of their depletion. Home improvement solutions like insulation and weatherization form a small part of this conservation effort.
Insulation is one of the most extensively used home improvement solutions. Both thermal and acoustical insulation solutions are available in the market today. Both provide a blanket that protects the house against outside weather and noise.
Thermal insulation seals all the sources of heat exchange in the house. This helps in containing the transfer of heat from within the house, thereby making it more energy efficient. Since, the heating and cooling devices do not have to operate much, there is a significant saving in the total energy bill. Such utility savings insulation also helps in optimum use of the available natural resources.
Though utility savings insulation has numerous benefits, the initial cost of installation is quite high. As a result, people in general tend to be apprehensive about employing it. Therefore, in spite of its long-term profits and environmental benefits, people refrain from installing proper insulation.
However, the introduction of policies like 'Home Star' has made more and more individuals adopt adequate home insulation measures. 'Home Star', more popularly known as 'Cash for Caulkers', offers incentives to those who are buying these home improvement services and products. This program, put forth by the Obama administration, covers up to thirteen different retrofits. The rebate percentage, however, differs with each product.
However, there is a prescribed procedure that needs to be followed to avail the incentives on offer. It is necessary to get the energy audit of the house done from a recognized authority. This will help the home owner to identify the various sources of heat exchange in the house. It will, therefore, enable them to get an appropriate degree of insulation installed.
Not only this, an energy audit will also help homeowners to opt for the most suitable mode and material for insulation. Under the 'Home Star' program, the users are then reimbursed accordingly, depending on the total costs incurred.
Apart from thermal insulation, acoustical insulation material is also available in the market. It is a kind of sound proofing that prevents sound waves from traveling in or out of an enclosed space. Sound barriers contain materials such as foam to absorb the transmitting waves. Acoustical insulation is, therefore, achieved by creating a sound barrier between the house and the source of sound.
