Insulation in the home
There are many types of insulation that can be used to effectively keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. The primary benefits of insulation are:
- Reduction of your energy costs in winter and summer (in the warmer climes). Insulation is extremely energy-efficient, thus saving the owner money.
- Insulation provides a uniform temperature distribution throughout the insulated space. There is less temperature gradient and variation, vertically and horizontally within the bounds of the insulated space producing a far more comfortable environment for inhabitants of your home when outside temperatures are extremely cold or hot.
- Insulation is a once off cost i.e. it has a very low recurring expense. Heating and cooling equipment is expensive and requires maintenance and constant upgrading, insulation however is permanent and does not require maintenance, upkeep, or adjustment.
Some of the types of insulation and a brief summary:
- Spray foams are aerosol applied chemical based insulators and fill up spaces between walls, it is a reasonable insulator and is relatively easy to apply in the wall cavities and in your roof and because it's foam it fills the gaps very easily and expands.
- Rigid panels and blankets are prefabricated slabs or rolls of insulating material made from a variety of materials including fibreglass and polyurethane. The panels come in standard sizes and can be easily cut to layer any area. These materials are very good insulators with high thermal ratings.
- Loose fill insulation is when a material with a high insulation rating is blown into, and fills up completely, the spaces it needs to insulate. Examples of loose fill are Rock wool (also known as mineral wool), cork, and vermiculite.
It is important to choose very carefully the kind of insulation that you use. Some of them like asbestos (which was a very good insulator) have been made illegal in most countries and are toxic to humans. Most insulators are flammable as well and do provide a hazard if not installed correctly. You should always consult a professional and discover the correct material to use in your particular situation before installing insulation in your home.
This is general guidance and should not be read as authoritative and if in doubt qualified individuals/organisations should be consulted.
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