When you go to purchase insulation for your home, you will be presented with lots of options. One of those options is for the R value of the insulation. But what does that mean? That’s what this article will discuss.
Essentially, the R value of insulation measures its ability to resist the flow of heat. The higher the R value, the better it will insulate your home against the loss of heat. This is a far better indication of the quality of insulation than the thickness or weight of the product. Even if two types of insulation are similar in thickness, for example, they will insulate the same amount if they have the same R value.
Testing to determine an insulation’s R value is done in conditions that are 70 degrees with very limited, if any, air movement. In an actual home, however, the conditions are not this ideal. Because of that, the recommended R value for a home basement is around 12, but that varies by climate and temperature. In addition, each different type of insulation has a different R value.
In order to keep your heating bills in check, it’s necessary to get the right kind of insulation with the proper R value. If your home experiences dampness, it is important to note that that moisture will lower the R value of any insulation. Bear that in mind when purchasing insulation from an Isolation Multi Services company, as you will need to purchase insulation that has a higher R value than you might necessarily need. In addition, once the insulation is installed it is important to take any steps you can to keep the moisture out of the air. When insulation gets wet and weighed down, it will gap and have bald spots, which will compromise its effectiveness. Just a small amount of moisture in your insulation can reduce its effectiveness by up to 70 percent.
One word of caution: When purchasing home insulation, don’t just go for the highest R value you can find. That may not be the most cost effective way to go. For example, you might want to opt for 2 layers of R 6 insulation rather than one layer of R 12. Price is not necessarily an indication of the quality of the insulation. There are ways to get maximum insulating power while saving a few dollars at the same time.
If you are looking to insulate your home, whether it’s an existing home or a new build, knowing what to look for in terms of insulation will go a long way toward ensuring both that your home stays warm and that your energy bills stay under control. For best results, always hire an expert insulator to install your insulation for you. They will be able to determine the best kind of insulation for each application in your home, as well as ensuring that the installation is done properly.
Article Submitted By Community Writer