What is R-Value?
“R” stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the
insulating power. R-value is measured through a series of industry standard tests.
Manufacturers of insulation products print the R-value of their products on either bags
or on labels attached to plain bags. In most cases, R-value is also printed on the facings
of batts and rolls. On unfaced insulation, R-value may be printed on the product or
indicated by stripe coding.
Back To Top
What is CIMA?
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association. A source for accurate, complete
information about the performance and use of cellulose thermal/acoustical insulation.
Back To Top
What is the Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency?
During 2006, individuals can make energy-conscious purchases that will provide tax
benefits when filling out their tax returns. The new law provides tax credits
for making your principal residence, which must be in the United States, more energy
efficient and for buying certain energy efficient items. At the same time the law
provides credits for various types of alternative motor vehicles, including hybrids.
For more information click here:
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Information
Back To Top
What does insulation do for my home?
Insulation keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, because insulation
resists the flow of heat. Heat is a form of energy and always seeks a cooler area - flowing
out of the home in the winter and into the home in the summer. By reducing heat flow, a
properly insulated home uses less energy for heating and cooling.
In addition to being an energy saver, insulation also acts as a sound absorber. When
installed in walls and ceilings, it can reduce the transmission of sound from one room to
another or from the outside. In today's noise-laden environments, more and more homeowners
are soundproofing their homes.
A well-insulated home increases the overall comfort of the home and adds to its resale value.
Whether your home is new or old, it pays to insulate.
Back To Top
What areas of my home should be insulated?
Insulation is not just for attics and outside walls. Insulation should also be installed in
other areas of your home such as ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above
vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls,
and in between interior walls, ceilings or floors for extra sound control.
Back To Top
What to look for when buying insulation?
Look for the "R-value." "R" means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater
the insulation power. The R-value must be disclosed for most insulation products. (Pipe and
duct insulation are the exceptions, although duct wrap is covered.) For instance, if you
buy loose-fill insulation with an R-value of 38 from Company A, it will have the same
insulating power as loose-fill insulation with an R-value of 38 from Company B. You also
can compare the R-value of one type of insulation to another, such as loose-fill to blanket.
Back To Top
Mold and Cellulose Insulation
Mold, which has been part of the natural environment for several hundred million years,
has recently become a matter of intense national concern, especially within the building
industry. Construction of tighter buildings and inappropriate approaches to moisture control
are often cited as contributing to the seemingly higher incidence of mold-associated problems
being reported today. Another likely cause is increased awareness of mold due to extensive
publicity surrounding a few cases of extreme mold contamination of buildings.
One thing that has not contributed to mold problems is the growing popularity of cellulose
insulation among knowledgeable home owners who are interested in sustainable building
practices and energy conservation. Mycology experts (mycology is the study of mold) are
often quoted as saying: “Mold grows on cellulose.” They are referring to cellulose the
generic material that forms the cell walls of all plants, not to cellulose insulation.
Unfortunately, all too often this statement is taken to mean that cellulose insulation is
exceptionally susceptible to mold contamination. In fact, due to its favorable moisture
control characteristics and other factors associated with the manufacturing process
relatively few cases of significant mold growth on cellulose insulation have been reported.
All the widely publicized incidents of serious mold contamination of insulation have involved
fiber insulation materials other than cellulose.
Back To Top
Energy Conservation: Cellulose -vs- Fiberglass
Two independent studies by the University of Illinois and Oak Ridge National Laboratory documented
the long standing claim that cellulose insulation outperforms loose-fill fiberglass insulation
because of it's higher density and lower air permeability.
These tests studied a range of cold attic temperature conditions rather than a single laboratory
condition. At attic temperatures of 30°F the effective R-value loss for fiberglass started and
reached 50% at 10°F. Loose-fill cellulose insulation tests by Oak Ridge in a Large Scale Climate
Simulator found the effective R-value actually increased slightly to temperatures as low as -18°F.
A simple solution to fixing the loose-fill fiberglass degradation is to add 2 to 3 inches of
cellulose on top or use cellulose initially.
Back To Top
My question wasn't listed here!
If you have more questions please call R-Tek Insulation at: (330) 753-8394 and we will
be happy to assist you with further information regarding Cellulose Insulation.
Back To Top
Cellulose....it's naturally better insulation
Still not convinced of the Superiority of Cellulose Insulation?
Then please read the following pages.
R-TEK Insulation is your insulation contractor of choice.
If you have any questions regarding commercial or home insulation please do not hesitate
to call us at: (330) 753-8394. We will be more than happy to assist you.
|
