Why Insulate?

Why Insulate?

It may be out of sight, in your walls or attic, but foam insulation is a critically important building material for your home. That's because it's one of the most thermally-efficient and cost-effective ways to save energy while making homes quieter and more comfortable to live in. Foam insulation is a sustainable building product - one that has a positive impact on our environment, helping reduce energy consumption and the effects of global warming. It has been used successfully for decades in homes worldwide, foam insulation is the state of the art when it comes to energy efficiency, delivering maximum R-value performance in standard all construction. Think about saving BTUs-by the billions. A Harvard study found that by insulating the over 1.2 million new homes built each year in the U.S. to current International Energy Conservation Code levels, our country would save well over 300 billion BTUs over ten years. At the same time, increasing insulation in existing housing stock could save more than 800 trillion BTUs each year. Another study conducted by ICF Consulting (a leading consultant to the Energy Star program) measured the cost-effectiveness of increasing insulation R-values to those recommended in the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. After examining 324 house configurations and running 1.23 million simulations of home energy performance, ICF confirmed that increasing the insulation R-value was a cost-effective measure for energy savings in homes, and offered homeowners measurable savings on energy bills as well as tax savings in the form of upgrades.

Think about a more comfortable indoor environment. Upgrading home insulation levels is not only a good way to help lower monthly utility bills, it adds to the overall comfort in your home. Insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature by reducing air leakage and resisting the flow of heat. Properly insulating your home not only saves money, but will help reduce drafts and create a comfortable temperature inside no matter what the weather is outside. Think more peace and quiet!

In addition to greater energy-savings, foam insulation delivers excellent sound absorption. When installed between walls, foam insulation significantly reduces the transmission of sound from other rooms or from the outside. Think environmental sustainability.

As insulation saves energy it significantly decreases the generation of harmful air pollutants to the atmosphere. In fact, according to a Harvard study, insulating homes in the U.S. to even modest 2000 International Energy Conservation Code levels would reduce hundreds of thousands of tons of nitrous oxide and sulfur oxide released into the atmosphere each year. Insulation delivers a measurable impact on our environment, reducing the amount of energy consumption and pollution.

Insulation also prevents the depletion of our natural resources.

Think you need more insulation?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, checking your home's insulation is one of the quickest ways to start saving energy and cutting heating and cooling costs. Follow a few simple steps to see if you need more insulation:

• If your home was built before 1980. Only 20% of homes built prior to 1980 are well insulated.
• If you are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer. Adding more insulation creates a more uniform temperature, and increases comfort.
• If you're building a new house or addition, or installing new siding or roofing, it's a lot easier to access the areas that need insulation.
• If you notice your energy bills seem to be steadily rising.
• If you're bothered by noise from the outdoors-insulation helps to muffle sound.
• If you are concerned about the effect of energy use on the environment.
• Also according to the DOE, the easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate your home is to save energy. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of insulation and determine the R-Value.

Upgrading home insulation levels is not only a good way to help lower monthly utility bills, it adds to the overall comfort in your home. Insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature by reducing air leakage and resisting the flow of heat. Properly insulating your home not only saves money, but will help reduce drafts and help maintain a comfortable temperature inside no matter what the weather is outside.