Home Insulation

Windows are the most inefficient when it comes to insulation in your home. A single glazed ( one pane of glass ) window has an R value of only 1. Dual glazed windows are R 2. Triple glazed and dual glazed Low-E windows are R 3.2. If you add Argon gas to your Low-E windows you will have an R 4 window. This is only if the windows are not drafty. The least expensive way to cut energy costs is to make sure that there are no places around the windows and the window sills where air can leak in or out. Caulk any areas that might be suspect. On opening windows make sure that the weather stripping is making a proper seal. If not, replace it. There are several ways that you can increase the insulation of your window glazing in your home. You can install insulating blinds or heavy curtains. This works well over night or if you are not home during the day. You can install a thin film around the outside edge of the window sill. Kits are available at most hardware stores.

You can install or have installed a storm windows either outside or inside the house. For inside the house, there is an acrylic window that can be installed using a magnetic seal. Make sure the weather stripping around the doors are sealing properly. I found a magnetic weather stripping that works well on metal doors. Magnetic weather stripping can be found at most hardware stores.

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Cut energy costs by making sure your attic is properly insulated and vented. Because heat rises, the attic is the first place that you should check to make sure that it’s adequately insulated. There should be at least 12 inches ( preferably 15 inches ) of insulation in the attic.

Insulation is given an R value to indicate how good it is. For every 1 inch of insulation there is an R value of 3. Therefore 15 inches of insulation is R 45. That is the minimum you should have to keep the heat from escaping. The temperature in the attic should be about the same as the temperature outside.

A properly vented attic will decrease the possibility of condensation moisture to collect on the rafters or on the inside of the roof. One or more whirlybirds and a  few vents should do the trick. Blown insulation is widely used as attic insulation for several reasons. A professional home insulation contractor can quickly blow in one continuous blanket at the proper depth to achieve the recommended R45 insulation for attics. Many contractors offer pricing that includes the insulation itself and installation: usually less than the retail price homeowners would have to pay for the insulation alone. In addition, a properly installed continuous blanket of blown insulation does a better job at at stopping air leaks and subsequent heat loss.

Blanket or batt insulation meticulously installed will be better than a continuous blanket of blown insulation. However, any flaws or errors during installation will decrease the performance. If you have a trap door in the ceiling to get into the attic, make sure it also is properly insulated. Build a cardboard box 15 inches high around the inside edge of the door and fill it with insulation. Make sure there is a good seal where the door meets the ceiling.

• • Attic
  • Basement
  • Garage and Garage Doors
  • Older Homes
  • Windows and Doors
  • Home
  
  
  

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