Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Insulation
January 2000
Engineering Extension
struction, and orientation of your home. In addi- ple on the top of the stud; this will allow the batt
tion, the type and efficiency of your heating and to completely fill any cavity into which it is
cooling system and fuel costs play an important role. placed.
Other energy efficiency measures such as installation 3. Not completely filling irregular areas--even small
of energy-efficient windows and periodic mainte- voids in irregular framing or at the end of the batt
nance of the furnace and air-conditioning system of 1-2% of the insulation area can result in a 25-
also affect overall savings. Each situation must be 40% loss of R-value.
evaluated separately to determine cost-effectiveness 4. Not installing loose-fill cellulose to its proper den-
of installing additional insulation. sity (fluffing).
If basement is
fully insulated,
there is no need
for insulation here.
Floors over
unheated spaces
Crawlspace
= Insulation
Blankets and Batts ■ Fitted between studs, ■ All exposed walls, ■ Do-it-yourself
(Rolls) joists, and beams floors, and ceilings ■ Vapor barrier
Fiberglass ■ Suited for standard
Rock wool stud and joist spacing,
which is relatively free
from obstructions
Loose-fill (blown-in) ■ Blown into place or ■ Enclosed existing wall ■ Commonly used
or Sprayed-in-place spray applied by special cavities or open new insulation for retrofits
Rock wool equipment wall cavities (adding insulation to
Fiberglass ■ Unfinished attic floors existing finished areas)
Cellulose and hard-to-reach ■ Spray-applied cellulose
places and foam provide an air
barrier
■ Good for irregularly
shaped areas and
around obstructions
Foamed-in-place ■ Applied by professional ■ Exterior stud wall ■ High R-values and will
Polyurethane foam applicator using special cavities, irregular- act as an air barrier
Isocyanurate foam equipment shaped shapes,
perimeter joist spaces
Outside
Vapor barrier
Vapor barrier
stapled to wall stud
Figure 4. Proper batt insulation installation with vapor barrier
■ Energy-Efficient Mortgages
■ Energy-Efficient Windows
“This material was prepared with the support of the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grant No. DE-FG48-
97R802102. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of DOE.”
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