If you have been thinking about saving energy by insulating your home, or if you want to know the importance of proper insulation and optimal thermal efficiency in your house, then it is imperative that you know what R-value is all about.

So what do you need to know about the R-value of insulation?

An R-value tells you how much a particular insulation resists heat flow.  As a rule, the higher a material’s R-value, the better its insulating effectiveness.  A material’s R-value depends on its type of insulation, which relies on what kind of material it is, its thickness, and its density.   Also, an insulation’s effective resistance to heat flow may also depend on how it was installed.  An insulation that’s compressed, for instance, will not be able to give you its full R-value.

The amount of R-value you will need depends on:

  • your area’s climate;
  • the type of heating/cooling system you have; and
  • the area of the house you insulate.

That is why you will need to take note of the recommended R-value of the area you are in and the minimum values for various insulation applications in your house.

 

As homeowner, you should not assume that having wall, basement, and attic insulation already means that you have achieved optimal thermal efficiency for your house.  There is actually more to home insulation that this.

Sure, traditional methods of insulation can protect you against energy waste, but only partially.  To be sure you have achieved highly effective insulation, you should take advantage of the new advances in thermal technology, which will enable you to protect your home against heat infiltration and heat loss on a more comprehensive level.  There’s radiant barrier insulation, for one.  Radiant barrier insulation is much better than traditional forms of insulation because it provides you with protection against radiation, not only from conduction and convection.

To know more about home insulation, contact insulation professionals from Statewide Remodeling.