How important is good insulation?
Extremely important; checking your home’s insulating system is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to use a whole-house approach to reduce energy waste. By investing just a few hundred dollars for additional insulation for your home, you can increase your comfort while reducing your heating and cooling costs by up to 30%. Insulation is measured in R-values-the higher the R-value; the better your house will resist the transfer of heat. Six-inch thick fiberglass insulation has an R-value of R-19 and three and one half inch has a R-11 value. Although insulation can be made from a variety of materials, it usually comes in four types- batts, rolls, loose-fill and rigid foam boards. Each type is made to fit in different parts of your home. Batts are made to fit between the studs in your walls or between the joists of your ceilings and floors. Rolls or blankets are also usually added over the floor in the attic. Loose-fill insulation usually is blown into the attic or walls. Rigid
