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Energy Efficient Insulation

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Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler areas. And it is this natural convection that forces the heat in your home to leak out of the windows, floors and roof. Reversely, it is this same principle that allows unwanted heat into your home in the hot summer months and increases your air-conditioning use.

Energy efficient insulation materials such as fiberglass, polyicynene, and expanded polystyrene limit the movement of the air, keeping the heat away from the cold. Some foam insulating materials are filled with gases that give additional resistance to heat flow.

There are two types of foam used with energy efficient insulation. These are open-cell and closed-cell foam. Closed-cell foam is the more expensive of the two but it has more benefits. It is stronger and offers greater resistance to air and water vapor. Closed-cell foam also has a higher R-Factor. A R-Factor is a measurement of the materials thermal efficiency: the resistance to heat flow. This added resistance also means the material is denser and more of it is required, and therefore, it is more expensive.

When insulating your attic space, open-cell foam is advised. This allows for water vapor to leave the home, limiting the potential for mould and rot. Also having open-cell foam is necessary if there was a roof leak. The liquid can pass through the insulation rather than causing damage to the frame and lumber.

There are many types of energy efficient insulation techniques, ranging from the low-budget weather-stripping to professionally installed closed-cell foam insulation. All of these methods can help you save money and energy.

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