subject: Insulation reduction in energy use [print this page] Insulation reduction in energy use Insulation reduction in energy use
Every household or commercial establishment looks out for an energy efficient alternative in order to cut down on their energy costs. Such improvements not only lead to a comfortable living space but also provide the users with long- term profits.
An atrium in a building, for instance, is interconnected to all the floors thus providing for a passive cooling system. The mechanism is rather simple through where, the warm air from different floors rushes to the central Atrium. The lighter warm air rises and is replaced with the cooler air from computer- controlled windows above. The cool air rushes downwards due to its higher density, thus cooling the whole building.
Many such improvements are available today that provide for innovative and novel ways to cut down on costs. Insulation in one such home- improvement measure that provides a cover for the building, restricting heat exchange resulting in a reduction in the total energy costs and subsequently lowering bills.
Insulation is available in a number of variants depending on the location, material and form of the material employed. One of the most extensively used insulation isFiberglass insulation. It is convenient to install since it is available in rolls/batts that can easily be cut into any shape to fit into spaces of different sizes and structure. Though the material is fire- retardant, it can melt if it encounters very high temperatures. The insulating properties do not change over time nor does it sag due to interconnected fibers and thus fiberglass insulation qualifies as a reliable option.
Weatherization is another similar method to increase energy efficiency of a home or organization by protecting the building from harsh weather conditions by minimizing the air- flow through sealing vents, holes and other such possible sources. Weatherization is, however, different from insulation as it restricts convective heat flow unlike the latter.
To encourage citizens to follow this practice and in turn make a difference to the environment on the whole, the US government has been following a program under the name of Weatherization Assistance Program. This innovative and self- sustaining program has been in effect since 1976 and assists families falling in the lower income group to cut down on energy consumption and thus the inherent costs. This in turn decreases the dependency of these groups on the usage of foreign oil and further decreases total costs borne by them.
This Weatherization Assistance Program has been a success since its inception and prides itself with a whooping 6.2 million weatherized homes. According to the Department of Energy of the country, these weatherized homes have registered savings as high as 30.5MBtu each and this has not only covered the total cost of the program but harbored great returns as well. Many support groups working in similar areas have worked in collaboration with the Weatherization Assistance Program to ensure wider reach and optimum results.
