Perth Insulation keeps your house at a comfortable temperature, saves on energy bills, and protects it from fire and insects.
Adding insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces is most important. However, it is also beneficial to insulate walls and ceilings. Insulation can be made from various materials.
Insulation slows the transfer of thermal energy into and out of your home. It is a critical component of your home’s envelope and, when combined with air sealing, can drastically reduce the energy it takes to heat and cool your house. Properly air-sealed and insulated homes can save homeowners up to 15% on energy costs.
Insulators can be made from various materials, but the most common types are fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose. They are generally installed in attics and walls between studs and joists. They can also be fitted around ducts to reduce air leakage. Insulators range in density, with higher R-value insulation providing better insulating properties.
In addition to preventing energy loss, insulation also helps reduce condensation and mold growth. Moisture in the air can cause health problems, such as respiratory illness and allergy symptoms. Insulation keeps the air in your house dry and healthy, which can mean fewer sick days for you and your family.
Another benefit of insulating your home is that it helps to keep the warmth in during the winter, reducing heating bills. In fact, the cost of installing insulation can usually be recouped in less than one year in energy savings alone.
In the summer, insulation reduces the need to run your air conditioner as often. This can reduce wear and tear on your system and prevent overworking it, which can shorten its lifespan. It also saves on electricity bills, again cutting down on your monthly power consumption and reducing your energy usage.
Having your home well insulated can significantly improve its EPC rating (Energy Performance Certificate). A good rating will help you sell your house more easily, or will at least make it easier for you to get an affordable mortgage. It can also add to the value of your property, as new and prospective homebuyers place a lot of importance on being able to affordably heat and cool their new home. A good EPC rating can also help with your tax rebate and government incentives.
Reduces Cooling Loss
Insulation impedes the flow of unwanted heat from inside to outside, helping to make cooling your home or building more efficient. This reduces energy costs, increases occupant comfort and decreases environmental impact. Insulation is available in a wide range of materials and products that are suited to specific climates, building types, and needs. It can be used in walls, attics, and other spaces throughout a building, or in the roof, and is typically installed by professionals.
The way in which insulation prevents heat transfer depends on the type of material and its thermal resistance, also known as R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Insulation can be rated for its R-value and other qualities by an independent testing organization. The ratings are based on how well the material resists the flow of heat in and out of a home or building, and can be determined by looking at the material’s density, thickness, and other characteristics.
Another major function of insulation is to prevent heat transfer through convection, which occurs when hot air flows from warmer areas into cooler ones. In the winter it causes heating loss; in the summer it can increase air conditioning costs.
Insulation can also be a barrier against air movement, which helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce condensation and humidity. This can eliminate health problems like mold and asthma, and also protect against structural damage and water leaks.
The Stack Effect is a significant contributor to both heat and cooling loss, especially in homes with improper insulation. Upgrading your insulation and ensuring it is properly sealed can dramatically reduce temperature and air exchange, reducing the amount of work your heating and cooling systems have to do.
The most common insulation products are fiberglass and cellulose. They are both made from recycled paper products that have been reduced to small bits and fiberized, which makes them highly sustainable. Cellulose insulation is particularly popular, as it has a high R-value and uses a low-embodied energy manufacturing process. Both fiberglass and cellulose are prone to air flow, though, which can cause them to lose R-value over time. This can be addressed by using an insulation product that has an air-tight seal, such as spray foam.
Reduces Noise
Sound insulation isn’t just for regulating temperature and energy savings, it also helps reduce noise pollution. If you live close to a busy road or next door to noisy neighbors, spray foam insulation can make your home quieter and more peaceful.
Noise pollution can cause stress, sleep disturbances and other health problems. Insulation can help prevent these problems by reducing external noises that disrupt sleep, cause fatigue and increase stress levels. It can also reduce noises generated within the home from HVAC systems, plumbing and other household appliances and activities.
Many types of insulation have good sound-absorbing properties, but not all of them work the same way. The type of insulation, its thickness and placement all play a role in its ability to absorb sound waves and reduce noise.
Cellulose, fiberglass and foam insulation are all effective at reducing sound. They can be blown into walls, floors and ceilings to create a more comfortable and peaceful environment. They help reduce airborne noises such as voices, music and traffic and can also absorb vibrations from outside sources like heavy trucks and planes that may travel through the walls of a house.
There are also a number of acoustic insulation products that can be applied to the surface of a wall or floor. These materials reflect noise instead of absorbing it. They can be used in walls, timber party walls and joist cavities to help maintain privacy and reduce noise pollution.
The best type of insulation for reducing noise pollution is spray foam. It is able to fill all the cracks and crevices in a wall or attic, reducing the amount of noise that can escape from those spaces. It is also able to reduce noise from the roof, such as aircraft noises, if you live under an airport flight path.
In an independent test, Greenfiber’s cellulose insulation outperformed 4-inch sound-control fiberglass batts. It is available in both blown-in and dense-packed forms that can be installed in attics to meet or exceed sound transmission class (NIC) requirements. Both forms require a vapor barrier and will absorb moisture, making them unsuitable for humid climates.
Increases Comfort
Whether you live in a cold climate or a hot one, having the right amount of insulation can make your home more comfortable. This is because it helps regulate your indoor temperatures by reducing heat loss in the winter and air movement in the summer, preventing your heating and cooling systems from having to work as hard. This results in lower energy bills, allowing you to stay more relaxed and cozy at home without worrying about expensive utility bills.
Insulation also acts as a sound barrier, helping to reduce noise transmission between different rooms and the outside world. This can be especially beneficial if you live on a busy street or in a noisy neighborhood. Insulation materials like fiberglass or cellulose have great sound-absorbing qualities and can significantly improve the overall comfort of your home.
If you’re building a new house, consider getting ahead of the game and choosing advanced wall framing techniques with built-in insulation. This will help to provide a high R-value with minimal thermal bridging through the wood studs.
The type of insulation you choose will depend on what region of the country you live in and what space you are insulating. If you’re insulating your attic or ceiling, then you will need to select a material with an R-value between R-30 and R-49. These materials can include fiberglass, cellulose, rock wool, or slag wool.
Insulating your home is an investment that pays for itself in energy savings within a year. It’s also a great way to increase the value of your home, as many prospective buyers are willing to pay more for a well-insulated and comfortable home.
If you want to get ahead of the game and ensure your home’s comfort all year round, then be sure to talk to a professional about adding or reviewing your insulation. Snappy is ready to assess your home’s insulation and can offer free attic insulation quotes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start enjoying the benefits of insulation!