About Insulation

Insulation is used for three main purposes:

- Conservation of Energy - prevent heat loss or gain
- Acoustic barrier to reduce sound transmission
- Barrier against the spread of smoke and fire

Why Insulate?

Space heating accounts for a minimum of 50% of the energy used in the average home. About 20% goes for heating water. Lighting, appliances and everything else account for only 10 to 30%. Unless a home was constructed with special attention to energy efficiency, adding insulation will reduce utility bills.

Older homes are likely to use more energy than newer homes, leading to very high heating bills. Even if it’s a new home, adding insulation will normally save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself within a few years and continue to save money every year.

The crucial role of insulation

Inadequate insulation and air leakage are the leading causes of energy waste in most buildings.

Insulation saves money and protects limited energy resources. It also makes buildings more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature. Walls, ceilings, and floors will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Insulation also acts as a sound absorber or barrier, keeping noise levels down. It is possible to add insulation to almost any building.

Cold Bridges and Condensation

Places where there are weaknesses in the insulated envelope of a building are called cold or thermal bridges, this is because they literally provide a "bridge" for heat to escape. This can be eliminated by an experienced insulation contractor.

Main areas for cold bridges are:

• At room corners, where walls meet ceilings or floors.

• Where metal pipes or steel cross insulation or a wall cavity

• Where there is a disruption of a wall cavity

• Around windows and doors.