Need a New System or Installation?
Call us today to learn more about how you can save up to 5% on a new air conditioning system!
Our knowledgeable staff is ready with the latest information about programs that you can take advantage of to save you money on new heating and cooling equipment for your home.
24 Hour Service
Our friendly technicians are available 24 hours a day for your emergency service needs. Simply give Air Specialist, Inc. a call, day or night, and let one of our technicians help you with your problem. We are always here to assist you.
R-Values for Enhanced Home Energy Savings and Comfort
Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness, and its density. In calculating the R-value of a multi-layered installation, the R-values of the individual layers are added.
The map and chart below show the DOE recommendations for your area. State and local codes in some parts of the country may require lower R-values than the Department of Energy recommendations, which are based on cost effectiveness.
In the greater Houston and surrounding areas (Zone 4), the recommended insulation level for different areas of the house are as follows:
| Gas, heat pump or fuel oil systems: | |
| Attic | R-38 |
| Cathedral | R-38 |
| Wall | R-13 |
| Floor | R-13 |
| Crawl Space | R-19 |
| Slab Edge | R-4 |
| Interior Basement | R-11 |
| Exterior Basement | R-4 |
| Electric furnace systems: | |
| Attic | R-49 |
| Cathedral | R-38 |
| Wall | R-18 |
| Floor | R-25 |
| Crawl Space | R-18 |
| Slab Edge | R-8 |
| Interior Basement | R-11 |
| Exterior Basement | R-10 |
Why Add More?
Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Adding fiber glass insulation above minimum requirements helps:
- Increase energy savings
- Provide greater noise control
- Control moisture which helps your house and roof last longer.
Air Specialist Offers Blown Fiber Glass Insulation Services
Call today to get your FREE Estimate. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will get you taken care of and on your way to a more comfortable, energy efficient way of life.
How Insulation Works
Resists Heat Flow
To maintain comfort in your home, the heat lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in the summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulating ceilings decreases this heat flow by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.
Heat flows naturally from a warmer place to a cooler space. In winter, heat flow moves directly from heated living spaces to adjacent unheated attics, garages, or to the outdoors; or indirectly through interior ceilings, walls, and floors - wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the cooling season, heat flows from outdoors to the house interior.
Value
Adding fiber glass insulation is easy and can increase the value of your home. By raising the levels of fiber glass insulation in your home, you can make your home more valuable because of its increased energy efficiency. And when it comes time to sell your home, it may be more valuable in the marketplace.
Insulation is an investment that pays for itself many times over. The initial cost to install insulation are typically recouped in three to seven years depending on how much more you add. And, fiber glass insulation continues to save energy and help lower bills for the life of your home.
How Can I Tell How Much Insulation I Already Have?
If your home was built before energy costs started to escalate, its insulation levels may now be far below today's recommendations for energy savings and comfort.
How Much Insulation Do I Need?
The answer depends on a number of factors:
- Where you live - You will need a higher R-Value if you live in the Northeast than if you live in Southern California.
- The Age of your home - if your home is more than ten (10) years old, you will likely need more.
- How your home was built - is your home a single-level or multi-level structure? Do you have cathedral ceilings? Is your home a pier or beam design? Was it built on a slab?
- How you heat and cool your home - do you have a furnace, a central air conditioner or a heat pump?
*Must be placed in service prior to 1/31/2012. See Air Specialist for complete details.
