Try These Tips If You Don’t Know Which Types Of Insulation To Use For Your Home Improvement Projects

There are several insulation types to choose from in order to increase your home's energy efficiency. You must decide what’s important when making your selection. Between going green, saving energy or using top-of-the line materials, you'll find insulation that suits your desires by looking at indoor air quality, materials, and R-value.

• Cellulose is comprised of 75 percent recycled newspaper and is 30 times more energy efficient to produce than mineral wool and fiberglass, and it has no effect on indoor air quality. Appropriate uses are wall cavities, ceilings and floors. It's inexpensive to purchase, but installation can be costly.
• Fiberglass, made from 40 percent recycled silica, is generally the most cost effective choice. It sometimes contains formaldehyde and releases irritants that affect skin, throat and eyes. It works well in wall cavities, ceilings and attics.
• Cotton is a renewable resource that takes large amounts of water and pesticides to produce. It’s made of about 70 percent recycled materials and does not affect indoor air quality. It works well for attic floors, ceilings and wall cavities and costs about 15 percent more than fiberglass.
• Mineral wool requires no flame retardants, but releases skin, throat and eye irritants. It’s often produced using 75 to 90 percent recycled materials that are abundant in nature. Generally used in attics and wall cavities, it is a little steep in price.
• Polyisocyanurate foam insulation is produced using petrochemicals that have not been recycled and contains no hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and it does not usually affect indoor air quality. Specifically designed for use in basement walls, under siding, and in attics, but it can be expensive to purchase.

Choosing the right type of insulation will help to increase your home comfort and energy savings. Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating began in 1987 as a home-based business, and remains an original owner-operated HVAC companies. Speak with Duane and his crew for information to help you decide about upgrading the energy efficiency of your home. Contact us today.