We all know that insulation helps save energy and lowers energy bills as well, but do you know how much? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 50-70 percent of the energy used in the average American home. If you want to substantially reduce energy costs, decreasing the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling your home is a good place to start. Insulation reduces the average home heating and cooling cost by about 20 percent.
We provide contract maintenance for Bloomington and surrounding areas, and we know how much of a difference added insulation can benefit a home, business or multi-housing complex. So, we want to share some interesting facts about insulation.
Insulation Never Stops Working
No matter the type of insulation (fiberglass, wool, cellulose, spray foam), once it’s installed, it will save energy from being wasted. It also lasts for the life of the building, and will never need to be replaced unless it’s damaged. Some settling can occur over the years with loose-fill insulation and supplemental insulation may be needed to fill in gaps, but the original insulation will still be working and won’t need to be removed or replaced.
Installing Insulation is Simple and Cost Effective
For both residential and commercial buildings, insulation is the simplest and most cost effective way to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Understanding R-Value
R-value is the measure of how well a material resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. R-value depends on the type of insulation, its thickness and its density. The effectiveness of insulation’s resistance to heat flow also depends on how and where the insulation is installed. For example, insulation that’s compressed will not provide its full rated R-value.
Amount of Insulation Needed
The amount of insulation or R-value needed depends largely on the climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the part of the building being insulated. In addition to adding insulation, sealing air leaks and controlling moisture are also important factors to increase energy efficiency.
BMM Insulation Project
Insulation Before – R12
Insulation After – R39
We have helped some buildings lower their heating and cooling costs by adding insulation. We used blown-in cellulose to take one building’s attic insulation value from R12 to R39. That will make a huge difference on their energy bills!
If you’re heating bills are through the roof this winter, consider adding insulation. It will pay for itself in a matter of years with the amount of energy savings you’ll receive. We can help you know what type, how much and where to add insulation for the best benefit.
To learn more about adding insulation to an existing building, contact our contract maintenance team serving Bloomington and the surrounding Twin Cities area. We will be happy to help you! Give Building Maintenance Management a call at 763-541-4886 or contact us today!
