| Insulation is the process of enclosing or covering an | | | | 4 to 8 feet. |
| object with a material that serves as a barrier and | | | | Blown - these are loose insulation that can be 'blown' |
| reduces (or blocks) the flow of energy, specifically | | | | into walls or ceilings. |
| heat. It is essentially used for the following reasons: | | | | -Cellulose. Another insulating material that is commonly |
| -To reduce heat energy losses. | | | | used in households is cellulose. It is a fibrous material |
| -To prevent nearby objects from heating up. | | | | made from scrap or recycled paper (like newsprint or |
| Below are some examples where insulation is typically | | | | cardboard) that is shredded and treated with |
| used: | | | | chemicals that would make it resistant to fire and |
| -On appliances - stoves and ovens, refrigerators and | | | | insects. It is then applied (poured or blown-in) into place, |
| freezers, water heaters, water pipes, etc. | | | | either as loose-fill or wet-sprayed with the use of a |
| -On industrial applications. | | | | machine. |
| When done properly, insulation can provide indoor | | | | -Rock wool. As the name implies, rock wool is an |
| comfort (by keeping your house cooler in the summer | | | | insulating material that is made from rock. |
| and warmer in the winter) and energy efficiency. | | | | Manufactured similarly to that of a fiberglass (with |
| Determining and buying the insulation that is right for | | | | molten rock replacing glass), rock wool can be in the |
| your household can be a challenge. Below are some | | | | form of a hollow brick or a porous concrete block. |
| helpful hints on how to go about buying the perfect | | | | -Synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulating materials are |
| insulation for your home. | | | | manufactured in several forms, some of which are the |
| 1. What to insulate. The first thing to consider is to | | | | following: |
| identify where the insulation will be installed or used. A | | | | Polystyrene foam - usually as rigid, pre-cut boards. |
| personal inspection of your home may be sufficient, | | | | Polyurethane foam - usually as boards or foamed |
| but it is still best to let the qualified people (such as your | | | | 'insitu' ("in position"). |
| contractor) do the job. | | | | Spray-on expanding foam - similar to that found in |
| Depending on your (or an expert's) findings, your | | | | aerosol cans, it can completey seal and insulate even |
| household might need any or all of the following | | | | the smallest areas in the house by 'poofing' up to as |
| insulation: | | | | much as 2 to 4 times the original size when applied. |
| -Wall/cavity wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation | | | | Deciding on the right material to be used for installation |
| prevents your house from being exposed to rapid | | | | largely depends on the area that requires installation. |
| temperature changes outside. Studies show that heat | | | | Below are some of the standard insulating materials |
| loss due to un-insulated walls can reach as much as | | | | that are recommended for the specific areas in your |
| 50%, and cavity wall insulation could possibly prevent | | | | home: |
| 70% of this from happening. | | | | -For loft or roof insulation |
| -Loft/roof insulation. Because hot air rises, heat loss | | | | *Mineral wool quilt |
| through the roof can reach as much as 25%. This can | | | | *Blown mineral wool |
| be greatly reduced with proper attic or loft insulation. | | | | *Blown cellulose fibre |
| -Duct/pipe insulation. Leaky ducts or pipes can | | | | -For duct or pipe insulation |
| contribute to an increase in your heating (or cooling) | | | | *Mineral wool mat |
| costs. They can also burst (or freeze), so it is also | | | | *Pre-formed split foam insulation |
| important to have them properly insulated. | | | | *Foil-faced fiberglass insulation |
| -Water cylinders/storage tanks. Hot water cylinders | | | | *Vinyl-faced insulation |
| and cold water storage tanks also need to be | | | | *Ridged foam insulation |
| insulated to prevent them from being exposed to | | | | -For wall insulation |
| intense cold or heat. | | | | *Blown-in cellulose |
| 2. What to use. Traditional insulating materials that are | | | | *Fiberglass (batt and roll) insulation |
| commonly-used in the households are the following: | | | | 3. Check with an expert. Aside from your personal |
| -Fiberglass/fiberglass mats/mineral fiber. Fiberglass is | | | | considerations, the key to finding the perfect insulation |
| the most common and versatile type of insulating | | | | for your home is to consult a professional who is |
| material that is made from molten glass and spun into | | | | knowledgeable in this field. It is still best to check with |
| microfibers. | | | | an expert, who could provide you with several options |
| Usually pink or yellow in color, fiberglass comes in 3 | | | | that would best suit your needs. |
| forms: | | | | Insulating your home may add to your household |
| Rolls - blankets of insulation that may or may not have | | | | expenses today, but in the long run, it will not only save |
| vapor barriers, which prevent condensation in cold | | | | you money (by lowering your utility bills); it will also |
| areas that could result in damage (such as mold). | | | | protect you and your property. |
| Batts - similar to rolls but come in lengths ranging from | | | | |