Insulation
For Home Comfort |
|
||||||
|
One of the most important behind-the-scenes elements of your home is insulation. Insulation is a non-structural material that's used to reduce heat transfer. The most typical forms of insulation available are rigid sheets, flexible blankets, and loose fill. These may be composed of fiberglass or rock wool fibers, cellulose (paper) fibers, and a variety of foams. Specialized insulation, which is intended to reduce solar heat gain or air and water infiltration, is sold in plastic or metallized-plastic sheets. Building
a Barrier |
||||||
By
trapping an unmoving layer of air next to a heat source, heat transfer
is reduced and comfort is increased. Reflective insulation, as its name
implies, reflects heat back to its source. Typically made of foil, treated
paper or plastic film, reflective insulation becomes a radiant barrier
when used alone and facing an open space. Reflective barriers can be used
under roofing to prevent solar heat gains in warm climates or below floor
joists to retain winter heat.
The Value of Insulation R-value is proportional to the insulation's thickness, and varies depending on the type of insulating material. An inch of fiberglass blanket or batt has an average R-value of 3.2, while the R-value of loose-fill cellulose is about 3.5 per inch. Sprayed-on polyurethane foam tips the scales at an average R-value of 5.9. The overall R-value of a building has a critical impact on home energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that an average home spends up to 70 percent of its energy consumption on heating and cooling. Higher home R-values mean greater efficiency as well as comfort. Keeping air from moving really matters, since even a small draft can reduce insulation's efficiency. DuPont claims that air infiltration can drop a wall's insulative value from an installed rating of R-13 to a performance value of R-5. Manufacturers have addressed this problem by offering air infiltration barriers, commonly referred to as housewraps or building wrap, to shield insulation from moving air. These barriers are often designed to combat water infiltration as well, a liability that can seriously impair your insulation's efficiency. Other products can team with insulation to make the entire building envelope more energy efficient and the conditioned indoor space more livable. These would include products like spray foam sealants, electrical cover plate gaskets, and hot water pipe covers. Doors and windows are obvious partners, but so are their less visible counterparts like caulking and weather-stripping. These energy-saving components can be installed over the weekend and will help boost your home's overall thermal performance immediately. Where to Put It
|
|||||||
All
About Dol | What's New | Contact
| Sitemap | Link
Copyright Sudprasert Engineering (C)2002
10 February, 2003