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Home insulation - Is it cold outside?
By Eric Comforth
Insulation at home helps in saving energy and reducing utility bills. It makes the house more comfortable. Insulation at home not only helps in keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winter but it also prevents damage from leaking water and provides a good thermal resistance. Insulation is very useful to keep the temperature of the house as outdoor temperature.
By using insulation, the cost spent in cooling and heating the home can be reduced to a great extent. There should always be sufficient insulation at home to protect the house from air leakage, water leakage etc. R value, also known as thermal resistance is used to compute the insulation resistance. It shall be installed between the heated and unheated space.
There are many types of home insulation available. All insulation has pros and cons. They are mainly differentiated based on the material used for the insulation. They can be distinguished into Plastic foam, rigid board, reflective, loose fill, batts and blankets and blown in insulation etc. Batts and blankets insulation can be performed by the homeowner himself. No professional is required for this type of insulation. They are easily affordable and the material like blankets and batt strips are easily available in the market. Batts and Blankets insulation can be performed with the help of materials like Fiberglass, Mineral wool, plastic, concrete block, polystyrene fiber etc.
Fiberglass insulation may cause allergies to the skin if not used properly. Therefore, proper care must be taken while installing this type of insulation. Mineral wool insulation uses natural minerals for insulation. It helps in fire protection and sound reduction but it may result in respiratory problems. Plastic fiber glass insulation is performed with recycled plastic bottles. Loose fill insulations are blown in types of insulation that are mainly made with glass, fibers, vermiculite or perlite. They are mainly used in attics and walls. Cellulosic insulation is made with wood fibers and recycled newspapers. It is insect repellent and provides great resistance to fire due to the chemicals added into it. It does not provide good resistance to moisture.
Reflective insulations are made from aluminium foil and plastic films, cardboard etc. It is very useful in filtering the heat out from the home in summer. But they are a good conductor of electricity so no electric equipment or fixture should be installed near to the insulation. Foam Board insulations use polystyrene material and reduce air, heat and water leaks. They provide good resistance to moisture and can be used on ceilings, floors and walls. They provide strength to the home and provide thermal resistance.
Insulation can be performed at home in attics, on ceilings, exterior walls and garages and storage areas for proper ventilation and thermal resistance. Insulation must be performed either by professionals or proper care must be taken while installing them. Air and water leaks must be thoroughly checked before installing the insulation as moisture can dampen the efficiency of insulation or insulation may mask them. It must be checked that electrical equipment and fixtures are not getting touched by the insulation. Also some insulation can cause allergies to the skin and may cause respiratory problems so proper care must be taken while installing them.
About the Author
Eric Comforth is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics. There's plenty more insulation information at
http://www.insulation-info.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/41660.html
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