After receiving a whole-home energy and duct performance audit, April S. of Ashburn, VA, had questions. What is R-value? How does it impact my comfort? What kind of insulation is best?

Climate, home construction, lifestyle, and utility prices all impact the cost of heating and cooling your home. Adequate insulation is an excellent equalizer. With our thermal imaging technology, we can determine where you are either lacking or missing insulation altogether.

Houses constructed more than a decade ago probably don’t meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thermal Resistance (R-value) guidelines for insulation. These houses can lose heat in the winter and gain heat in the summer, wasting precious energy dollars and natural resources.

Adding additional insulation to your home is a cost-effective way to enhance year-round comfort. For instance, adding blown attic insulation from the typical 5” up to 18”, (upgrading from R-15 to R-38 or R-49) can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling energy bills.

Blown-In Insulation

Blown-in, loose-fill insulation is usually made of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose, taking the form of shreds, granules, or nodules. This blown-in material conforms readily to building cavities and attics. It is especially well suited for limited-access places, and it can be blown over existing insulation for cost-effective improvements.

Insulation is used to slow the transfer of heat through walls and ceilings. The reduction in heat loss and heat gain reduces energy usage and helps maintain a uniform temperature.

April, I hope this clarifies a little about what and why you need an ample amount of insulation in your home.

If you’d like to learn more about the whole-home energy and duct performance, contact our team!