In order to stay comfortable throughout the year, your home needs the right amount of insulation. Not only will this ensure appropriate temperatures year-round, but you’ll also experience improved energy efficiency for greater savings on your monthly energy bills. So you’re ready to make your home more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient and planning to install new insulation, but just how much does your Northern Westchester or Putnam County area home need anyway?
Insulation R-Value
The R-value of insulation is its ability to resist heat transfer. The higher a material’s thermal resistance (R-value) is, the better it is at insulating.
Since various insulation types have differing R-values, answering the question of how much insulation you need can’t be answered universally by saying “10 inches of insulation.” However, it can be answered by focusing on what R-value you should achieve in certain areas of your home.
For the climate here in the greater Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, your attic should have at least an R-49 to R-60 amount of insulation, while floors should have between R-25 to R-30.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation has an R-value ranging from about 3.4 to 3.8 per inch.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has an approximate R-value of 6 per inch. So to achieve the same R-value, you would need to use less spray foam than cellulose insulation.
Where Should You Insulate?
Insulating your entire home is imperative. Walls, ceilings, basements or crawlspaces and attics should all be insulated. You’ll see major benefits by making sure your entire home has adequate insulation. However, one place you should specifically focus on, is the attic.
Attic Insulation
Paying special attention to your attic when ensuring your home is properly insulated is essential. Not only does the stack effect or rising and escape of hot air make you uncomfortable, it increases your energy bills and can cause ice dams on your roof. During the summer it also lets heat in more readily, causing you to keep blasting the air conditioner.
Have a professional look at your attic to ensure that the insulation level is at least R-49. An expert, like the team at Healthy Home™, can also check for air leaks which contribute to home discomfort, poor indoor air quality and high energy bills.
Healthy Home™: Comfort, Health & Energy Efficiency for Your Home
At Healthy Home™ Energy & Consulting, we want you to be as comfortable and healthy in your home as possible. By taking steps to increase comfort and health, you’ll also inevitably lower your monthly bills. If you’re unsure about whether your home is properly insulated and you would like to experience the benefits that the right amount of insulation can offer, the team at Healthy Home™ is here to help.
Contact us or call 914-242-9733 to schedule an insulation consultation for your home today!
