subject: Retrofit Insulation Ideal For Your Home [print this page] Insulation is an important home improvement measure that can help in making the house energy efficient. With the increasing acceptance of this fact, more and more people are installing insulation in their homes and offices. Ideally, insulation should be integrated at the time of construction; however, it can also be done after completion. Insulating existing structures that previously had no insulation is referred to as retrofit insulation.
Proper insulation resists heat flow, thereby reducing summer heat gain or winter heat loss. It results in a favorable temperature within the house, making it comfortable for residents. Owing to lower heat loss, there is less dependence on the heating and cooling devices for temperature regulation. Hence, retrofit insulation leads to significant savings on the energy costs. Moreover, insulation material also has acoustical properties that offers sound insulation. This helps in creating an effective barrier against noise; thereby making the house quite and peaceful.
There are different types of material available, amongst which you can choose depending upon the amount of insulation required. In order to know about the amount of insulation needed, you can get an energy audit done. Through this, you can get to know about other problems as well; like gaps, vents or cracks in the building that provides passage for heat to escape. In order to maximize the benefits offered by insulation, you need to address these problems before installing retrofit insulation. Once these problems are taken care of, you can install insulation on your own or take professional assistance.
Some of the material that are commonly used for retrofit insulation are fiberglass, cellulose and mineral wool. These are installed in different forms, like blown-in and blanket (batts and rolls). The right material is chosen on the basis of R-value, which is the measure of insulation. Higher the R-value, better the insulation offered by the material. Blown-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation is generally used as it is effective, affordable and easy to install. In addition, it offers effective sound insulation as well. Moreover, blown-in insulation can conveniently be installed in hard-to-reach areas like attics, chimneys or stove vents.
However, along with installing retrofit insulation, you can also opt for other measures like weatherization, or installation of energy-efficient New windows and doors. Furthermore, you can even choose ENERGY-STAR appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators or go for efficient-lighting such as CFLs. All these energy-saving home improvement measures will save energy and money at the same time.
