The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1293358
C-8 Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 30, 2020 The Press-Dispatch When thinking about ren- ovating their homes, home- owners may imagine chang- ing wall colors, expanding room sizes or upgrading ap- pliances and fixtures. How- ever, unless people take in- ventory of the less glam- ourous components of the home, such as structure, plumbing, heating and cool- ing, and insulation, other improvements may be for naught. A home insulation project certainly doesn't offer the wow factor of a kitchen re- model, but insulation serves a vital function in the house that helps keep people com- fortable and reduces ener- gy consumption. Insulation is typically placed in areas where air escapes, such as between the stud cavities in- side the walls and in the at- tic, and serves to slow and re- duce heat transfer. The U.S. Department of Energy says between 50 and 70 percent of the energy used in homes is for heating and cooling. By improving home insulation, homeowners can make their homes more com- fortable, consistent and effi- cient. In fact, the ENERGY STAR program overseen by the U.S. Environmental Pro- tection Agency says home- owners stand to save an av- erage of 15 percent on heat- ing and cooling costs by add- ing proper insulation. To do so, homeowners can take a crash course in home insu- lation and find the products that fit their needs. Blanket batts and rolls Blanket batts and rolls typ- ically are constructed with fiberglass, so proper safe- ty gear, such as a mask and gloves, is needed when han- dling them. Installing this type of insulation is relative- ly easy since the materials are designed to fit the stan- dard width between studs, rafters and floor joists. Loose fill Loose fill is usually made of fiberglass or cellulose (recycled paper fiber). It is blown or sprayed into place with pneumatic equipment, according to The Home De- pot. Loose fill can be ideal for hard-to-reach areas in attics or inside wall cavities. It's good for adding insula- tion to irregularly shaped ar- eas. Since it requires special equipment, this is a job best left to professionals. Sprayed foam Sprayed foam is just as the name implies, a foam made from polyurethane, polyiso- cyanurate, cementitious, or other materials that are ap- plied by a spray container. DIYers who need only small applications can use canned products. Large quantities are pressure-sprayed by pro- fessionals. Foam board/ rigid foam panels Ideal for unfinished walls, such as basement or foun- dation walls, floors and ceil- ings, these are boards of polyurethane or polysty- rene. Foam boards tend to reduce energy consumption more effectively than other types of insulation. Homeowners considering upgrading their insulation or amending existing insu- lation should do their home- work on the type of insula- tion that will be most effec- tive for their homes. insulation Types of and where to install them Understanding R-Values Insulation recommendations are based on certain fac- tors that coordinate with regional climate zones to increase energy efficiency. These factors are known as R-values. The R in R-value stands for "resistance," and refers to how certain products resist the flow of heat through walls, floors and ceilings. Products should reduce heat escape so heat is kept on the right side of the wall. In summer this means outdoors, in winter it means indoors. R-values re- late not only to insulation, but also to walls, windows and other barriers. R-values also coordinate to the type, thick- ness and density of the material being used. The higher the R-value, the more resistant to heat the product is. The U.S. Department of Energy coordinates R-value to climate zones 1 through 7 (1: Tip of Florida; 7: Canadian border). A higher R-value is needed in Zone 7 and a lower R-value is necessary in Zone 1. Those embarking on home improve- ment projects that involve choosing between R-values are urged to speak with a professional or to visit the Depart- ment of Energy website (www.energy.gov) to determine which R-Value is ideal for their homes. Working Together Since 1864 H • F • A • B For your complete insurance needs, contact the Ferdinand Farmers Insurance Group. 812.367.1413 • 888.440.1413 1405 Main Street • Ferdinand, Indiana www.ferdinandfarmersinsurance.com OUT with the old, COSTLY UNIT In with the NEW ENERGY- EFFICIENT unit from Carrier 812-354-4273 This Winter's Forecast: Whatever Makes You Comfortable. To find the system that's right for you, contact your local Carrier ® dealer. ©CARRIER CORPORATION 8/2014. 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