The Importance of Green Building and R-Values

Posted by R Value Comments Off   Apr 06, 2012 @ 03:04
The Importance of Green Building and R Values The Importance of Green Building and R Values

If a homeowner wants to make his home more energy efficient, he will often change out a large part of his HVAC system, such as replacing window air with central air or replacing a boiler. However, these changes can result in thousands of dollars for the unit alone. Homeowners can expect to pay twice the price of the unit after the unit is installed. After the new unit is installed, homeowners may not notice much of a difference in the comfort level of the home if air is escaping through holes in the building and the insulation. Homeowners may be able to make a more dramatic change in the home’s efficiency and comfort level by changing or adding insulation. This process is much more affordable than reconfiguring an HVAC system.

As many companies and homeowners strive to save money, they recognize the amount of money that they lose from energy waste. They also recognize the environmental impact of using fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources to heat and cool their homes. These changes in the construction industry have made the R-value of a building a much more important factor to consider when constructing and remodeling a building.

When determining whether a homeowner needs new installation, the R-value of the existing insulation will be assessed. An R-value is a measure of the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value of the insulation, the greater energy efficiency of the insulation possesses. If a house has a high R-value, the house likely does not need new insulation. However, if the R-value is low, this can indicate that the insulation is ineffective and needs to be changed.

A variety of factors affect the R-value. The type of insulation that is used, the thickness and the density can all impact the R-value. Some houses feature multiple layers of insulation and this requires adding the R-values of each layer of insulation together with the other layers.

When air flows around the installation and into studs and joists, the R-value is less. It is also less if the insulation is compressed. For these reasons, spray foam insulation is often preferable to other forms of insulation. Spray foam can expand and contract with the seasonal contraction of the home. It can also enter the crevices and fill small spots that thicker insulation cannot.

The optimal amount of insulation that you need depends on the location of the building, the typical climate, they type of HVAC system you have installed and the location of the area where you are installing the insulation. Before making any important changes to the insulation or HVAC system, a homeowner or building owner should have the building inspected by an HVAC specialist. This specialist can assess the R-value of the home and can offer specialized recommendations related to the need for insulation and other ways to increase the energy efficiency of the building. The R-value is an important factor to consider when evaluating the energy efficiency, but a specialist can help determine other problems and solve these efficiency problems.


Wall Foam Insulation a Genius Way to Save Money New Orleans Wall Foam Insulation, a Genius Way to Save Money   New Orleans

One of the most important home fixtures that must be considered is insulation, which is a method of keeping cold air and warm air from leaking out. In a recent study, forty six percent or almost one half of the total electric consumption of an average American household goes to heating and cooling of the house alone. That’s a lot of money, which can actually be saved if your house is properly insulated. With a properly insulated home, you won’t need your HVAC units constantly to maintain the thermal comfort in your house.

One of the most important parts of the house that needs insulation is the wall mainly because the wall covers the most part of the house. Thus, when it is properly insulated, your energy consumption can be significantly reduced.

Wall Insulation: Benefits and Types
Like roof and attic insulation, wall insulation helps keep your house sealed. With a properly insulated house, you won’t have to constantly use your heating or cooling system to regulate the thermal comfort in your home. This indeed clearly represents a lot of money saved, in addition to the obvious fact that it can lengthen the life of your HVAC units.

There are several ways to insulate your wall, but one of the most popular and widely used today in wall insulation is foam. Foam wall insulation comes in two types: foam board and spray in. These materials are often used interchangeably, but the fact is that they differ and both have their own pros and cons.

Rigid foam board insulation is also an efficient way of sealing your home and maintaining your home’s thermal comfort. The problem with this type of wall insulation , however, is that it tends to be a fire hazard and thus should not be installed without installing a proper fire protection or without consulting a professional. This is why many people go for the blown-in wall insulation, which is good for sealing crevices or cracks. This type of insulation is often used by professionals for interior wall insulation. While this works wonders on your energy consumption, the drawback of this application is that many areas can be missed. This is why it is of utmost importance to hire a professional energy auditing firm to make a thorough evaluation of your home and determine all aspects of your home that need foam wall insulation.

Although initially wall insulation may seem expensive, the cost for insulation is actually worth it, with all the long term positive effects you may enjoy from insulation. In addition to decreased energy consumption and savings, you may also enjoy several tax incentives from the government for employing such “green” techniques in your home. Just check your state guidelines on this and see how much tax benefits you can enjoy from having your wall or home insulated.

For expert solutions, talk to a professional at Star Spray Foam Insulation through calling (504) 383-3261 or visit: EcoStarfoam.com. Star Spray foam Insulation is one of the top firms that offer insulation services in New Orleans.