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:
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.
For Fastest Service,
Please Call
(713) 733-9241
|
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?
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