Insulation: An Overview
Insulation is material that essentially serves as a barrier between your home and the heat or cold outside. Good insulation will conserve the heat within your home in winter, and will help keep heat from entering your home in the summer. A material’s ability to do this is measured by its R-value. There are many types of insulation, and many places in your home to put it.
Main Areas to Insulate
- Exterior Walls
- Basement Walls
- Under Floors
- Attics
Types of Insulation
- Fiberglass (link)
- Blankets
- Loose-fill
- Cellulose loose-fill (link)
- Foams (link)
- Other
Tax Credits
The federal government provides tax incentives for energy-efficient insulation you install in your home. By bringing portions of your building envelope up to the efficiency levels specified in the 2001 IECC model energy code. Homeowners are eligible for a 10% tax credit on money spent on actual insulation materials, but not on the labor to install it, and the total credit may not exceed $500.
Doing it Yourself
Some forms of insulation can be installed by homeowners, rather than by professionals. This can be a good way to save money on home improvements, but it can also decrease the effectiveness of your improvements. Especially when energy conservation is one of your goals in reinsulating, improper installation can lead to disappointing results. If you choose to do it yourself, follow all directions exactly, don’t try to skimp on the amount of insulation you use and take proper safety precautions.
For More Information
For a brief overview of common insulation types (with images), visit “What Kind Of Insulation Should You Buy?†by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
For more information on federal tax credits for home insulation improvements, please visit
The Tax Incentives Assistance Project
For more information on Pennsylvania tax credits for home insulation improvements, please visit
PA incentives
For more information on installing insulation yourself, please visit
“Can You Do It Yourself?†Or “If You Do It Yourself†by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Comparison Chart of Insulation Types
|
alternatives |
R-Value per inch |
||
|
$.03 |
3.2 |
15 |
|
|
$.02 |
3.7 |
15 |
|
|
$.04 |
2.2 |
15 |
|
|
not available |
3.6-5.0 |
15-30 |
I just wanted to comment on new green building designs. My brother and I have under construction a new small commercial building. Along with radiant floor heating we are using SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels) for the side walls which are rated at R27 and 40 inches of cellulose insulation in ceiling. Also, we will be employing 400 Square Feet of Solar Evacuated Tubes mounted vertically on the south facing wall outside to assist with heating the building and backed up with a Hard Coal Stoker Boiler. In our design we are hoping to heat our new building 30 to 50% with solar energy. In addition, we will be employing both solar electric and wind energy for our electrical needs. Our goal with the new green building is to make it a show case for alternative energy and be a supplier of these products including installations and training. You comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
John McClintock
Mitchell Supply Company
Comment by John McClintock — April 1, 2009 @ 10:50 am