The Importance of Insulation by Claire Cardwell
Heating and cooling accounts for up to 50-70 percent of the energy used in an average home. Installing Insulation in your house is the most practical and cost effective way of making your home more energy efficient keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer and can save up to 50% on your energy bill. In addition Insulation can also reduce condensation in your home and some types of insulation can make your home more soundproof. A well insulated house is very energy efficient and will need very little additional heating and cooling.
Insulation helps to:
· save money on your energy bills
· reduce your energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions
· reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems
· improve your comfort at home.
The most important part of a house to insulate is the walls which typically lose about 30-40% of heat, the roof comes in second with about 25% heat loss, then windows and doors with 20% and finally the floor.
How much money you will save by insulating your home depends on many different factors like the size of your house and the type of insulation used. In addition if your house is old you will probably have to add more insulation.
How insulation works
Naturally air flows from a warm area to a cooler one. Insulation works by limiting air movement and the still air inside the insulation helps to prevent heat from escaping. Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance (R-Values) - the higher the R-Value the better it is.
There are two main types of insulation:
Bulk insulation which acts as a barrier to heat flow between your house and the outside, keeping heat out in the summer and in your home in the winter. It comes in rolls, boards and batts and can be made of glass wool, polyester, natural wool or recycled paper.
Reflective insulation is usually used in houses in hot climates and deflects radiant heat. It's usually shiny aluminium foil laminated onto paper or plastic.
Some insulation products are available that combine the features of bulk and reflective insulation.
The type of insulation that is best for your home depends on whether you need to keep heat in or out or both. The design of your house, the materials it is made from and the orientation are also factors to consider.
How much installation should I use?
It's not really possible to over-insulate a building, so the easy answer to this question is as much as possible! However as there is a point of diminishing returns so the best bet is to aim for the "sweet spot" where the insulation is efficient and the cost is within your budget.
There are some benefits to over-insulating as over time almost all cellulose and fibre glass insulation decreases in R-Ratings as it settles.
Make sure it's installed properly
It is very important to make sure your insulation is installed by experienced, competent professionals. Insulation that has gaps, gets wet or is crammed in too tight will not protect your home. Don't forget to insulate the hot water pipes and geysers!
If you are considering investing in Solar Panels, Heat pumps or any other green source of energy for your home the first step you should take is to improve your home's insulation. Skipping this step means that you will spend a lot of money on an expensive system to cover the energy demands of you home.
Call Claire - 082 399 0180 / 011 025 4458 - Whatapp - 066 232 3676
bluedesigns5@gmail.com
I think it's vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture - whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.
Iam originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999. I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate. In my spare time I am keen artist and photographer.
