Insulating all areas in your home where energy could be lost is a wise investment. Doing so will increase your home comfort and energy savings. Before you embark on an insulation project, it is important to know where to insulate and the types of insulation to use.
Where to Insulate
Insulation can be installed in many areas of your home. The areas that should be prioritized are:
- Attic
- Walls
- Floors
- Basement
- Crawl space
Types of Insulation to Use
The types of insulation you should use are determined by the area you want to insulate. Let’s look at the suitable types for each area.
Attic
The attic is a large source of potential energy loss. For that reason, it is important to properly insulate it with the right kind and amount of insulation. Batt or loose-fill insulation is the best choice. Loose-fill offers better coverage and is cheaper to install than batt insulation.
Walls
You should insulate both exterior and interior walls. The pipes, ductwork, and wires should also be insulated. The best types of insulation for your walls are blow-in fiberglass, spray foam, and cellulose.
Floors
Floors that are usually insulated are those over heated or closed spaces. Batt insulation is the ideal choice for floors.
Basement
A basement that isn’t insulated loses a significant amount of the home’s heat. The best types of insulation to install are foam, fiberglass, and batts. Vapor retarders should be installed toward the warm living spaces.
Crawl Space
How you should insulate your crawl space is determined by whether it is ventilated or not. If it is ventilated, use spray foam to insulate the floor above and rolled fiberglass to insulate in between the floor joists. If your crawl space is unventilated, don’t insulate the floor. Instead, seal air leaks and insulate the foundation walls.
Ensuring your home is properly insulated is a good starting point to reducing your heating and cooling bills. If you’d like to know more about proper insulation, contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We serve the Yuma area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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