Why insulate your home

The downside of this strategy is that rodents, pests, or water can damage the insulation and the crawlspace must be built airtight and the air barrier maintained.

Cover the ground with a thick vapor barrier to reduce moisture entering the crawlspace from the ground. Cold concrete slabs can be a source of discomfort in a home.

Insulating a slab in an existing home can be expensive and disruptive, but if the slab in your home is cold it is possible to dig around the perimeter of the house and install insulation, usually foam board. Installing slab insulation during the construction process is more straightforward. Slab insulation, typically foam board, is installed either directly against the exterior of the slab and footing before backfilling or under the slab and along the inside of the stem wall of the foundation.

Termites can tunnel undetected through exterior slab insulation to gain access to the wood framing in a home's walls. As a result, some insurance companies won't guarantee homes with slab insulation against termites. Building codes in several southern U.

Slab foundations with interior insulation provide more termite resistance, but some builders in the southeastern United States have even reported termite infestations through foam insulation on contained slabs.

Examples of where to insulate. Attic Insulation. Duct Insulation. Cathedral Ceiling Insulation. Exterior Wall Insulation. Foam sheathing: Provides a continuous layer of insulation, which reduces thermal bridging through wood studs, saving energy and improving comfort.

Is easier to cut and install than heavier sheathing products. Protects against condensation on the inside wall by keeping the interior of the wall closer to the interior conditions. Usually costs less than plywood or oriented strand board OSB. Insulating Floors Above Unheated Garages.

Basement Insulation. In new construction, adding insulation on the exterior of the basement walls will do the following: Minimize thermal bridging and reduce heat loss through the foundation Protect the damp-proof coating from damage during backfilling Provide some protection against moisture intrusion Make the foundation part of the thermal mass of the conditioned space, thereby reducing interior temperature swings Reduce the potential for condensation on surfaces in the basement Conserve room area, relative to installing insulation on the interior.

Interior basement wall insulation has the following advantages: It is much less expensive to install than exterior insulation for existing buildings. Almost any insulation type can be used. It eliminates the threat of insect infestation. Here are a few things to consider when installing interior basement wall insulation: Many insulation types require a fire-rated covering because they release toxic gases when ignited.

Electric vehicles. Start EV journey. Charging infrastructure. Bespoke solutions. Large business. Buying energy. Energy sources. Fixed price electricity contracts. Flex purchasing. Ask for a quote. Selling energy. Energy solutions. Electric Vehicles. Infrastructure services. Metering services. Existing customers. Billing and payments. Meter readings. Energy view. Renew your contract. Carbon Reduction Commitment. Business FAQ. Talk Power. Talk Power blogs. Talk Power webinars.

Subscribe to Talk Power. About Us. Who we are. How we generate electricity. Our sustainability roadmap. Media centre. Financial reports. Helping Britain achieve Net Zero.

Wind power. Nuclear energy. Solar power. Hinkley Point C. Share this with a friend:. Recognized by the BBB, Hedrick Construction has a reputation for getting the job done right, on budget, and on time. What are the benefits of quality insulation? What factors influence my insulation needs?

What is the best type of insulation? What is the most important area of the home to insulate? Popular Posts. Related Blog Posts. Suite Huxley, IA PH: While no insulation product alone can ensure a healthy home, insulation and air sealing are a critical component of a whole-building strategy to deliver healthy homes. While this contribution is small, it is not entirely accurate to say appliances do not contribute to heating and cooling costs at all. Thank you! HERS Rater Guide This free guide summarizes recent research in which builders explain what they expect when they hire a rater.

Download Now.