Cost-Effective Insulation Helps You Boost Household Energy Savings

If you’re looking to increase your savings on home energy this year, checking and upgrading your insulation is a fast and inexpensive way to start. Good insulation with no air leaks will reduce your heating and cooling costs and add to the comfort level in your home.

Solid, sound insulation systems incorporate different products and construction methods to protect the home from the hot or cold temperatures outside, stop all air leaks and eliminate moisture. To evaluate your home’s insulation system, start by checking insulation R-values in your ceilings, attic, basement and exterior walls, crawl spaces and floors to find out if they meet recommended levels.

R-values are used to rate insulation. A higher R-value indicates a higher resistance of heat transfer in your walls and floors. The Department of Energy sets recommended R-value ranges for different climates and locations. Florida is a Zone 2, with recommended R-values of 30 to 60 for your attic, R-13 for your floors and R-13 to R-15 for your walls.

Insulation comes in a variety of materials. There’s roll and batt (or blanket) insulation, loose fill and rigid foam. Rolls and batts are made of mineral fibers, like fiberglass and rock wool, and are installed into walls and floors. Loose-fill insulation (also made from fiberglass, rock wool and cellulose) is blown into cavity spaces with pneumatic equipment. Rigid foam insulation is a little more expensive, but typically yields higher R-values than the other two.

Here are a few signs it’s time to upgrade to newer, cost-effective insulation:

• High energy bills
• The age of your home (just 20 percent of homes built prior to 1980 are well insulated)
• Excess noise from outside coming into your house (insulation diffuses noise)
• Uncomfortable levels of heat or cold

If you’re considering an insulation upgrade, contact us at Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning.