Insulation Perth is made from non-metallic materials that resist the transfer of heat. Most insulation is composed of small pockets of air or other gasses, and these pockets slow down conduction.

It reduces condensation and limits corrosion on cold piping, ducts, and chillers. It also helps to prevent mold and pests.

Insulation provides resistance to unwanted heat flow, lowering your heating and cooling bills significantly. It keeps warm air inside during the winter and cool air outside in the summer, saving energy, which also reduces your home’s carbon footprint.

An uninsulated home can lose a third of its heat through the walls. Modern homes built after 1920 are more likely to have cavity wall (two walls with a gap in between), making it easier for insulation to be installed. But even older buildings can benefit from an energy audit and the addition of insulation to their attics, basements, and crawl spaces.

The type of insulation you choose depends on your climate, and how much of it you need to achieve the R-value you require in your home. The R-value of insulation is determined by its ability to resist heat flow, measured at different temperatures. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

In most cases, cellulose and spray foam insulation are the most efficient types of insulation for your home. They have the highest R-values of all insulation and can provide significant energy savings. Cellulose is made of recycled paper products, primarily newsprint, which are reduced to small pieces and then fiberized, creating a product that packs tightly into building cavities. It’s typically enhanced with the mineral borate or sometimes blended with ammonium sulfate to ensure fire and insect resistance.

XPS and EPS are other forms of polystyrene insulation that are used in SIPs and ICFs. They are also commonly referred to as foam board insulation and begin their life as blocks that are then cut to shape into sheets. The R-value of these materials drops over time as some low-conductivity gas escapes and air replaces it.

Increases Home Value

Homeowners invest in home improvement projects to increase the value of their homes. A few of these popular upgrades include kitchen and bathroom remodeling, siding installation, and adding an entry door. However, one of the most valuable home upgrades that often gets overlooked is installing adequate insulation. Home insulation increases the resale value of your home in several ways.

Insulation is the barrier that keeps warm air inside during winter and cool air out in summer, reducing energy usage. This makes a home more affordable to heat and cool, which can attract prospective buyers. In fact, home buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home with energy-efficient features.

During the appraisal process, appraisers take into account energy efficiency improvements that can reduce utility costs, such as insulation. These energy-saving features can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and appeal to environmentally conscious homebuyers. These factors can increase a home’s market value by up to 5 percent.

Proper insulation not only improves your home’s comfort and reduces noise levels, but it also protects the walls from moisture penetration, which can cause mold and mildew problems. Potential buyers will appreciate these features when it comes time to sell the home.

There are many factors that influence a home’s resale value, including location and the number of updates. However, adding insulation to your home can increase its overall resale value by up to 6 percent. This is because prospective home buyers will see the energy-efficient features of the property as an appealing amenity, which can drive up the asking price. Homeowners who add insulation to their properties should promote this feature in their listing, so they can reap the financial benefits of their investment.

Increases Home Comfort

Insulation slows down heat flow, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. This reduces the strain on your heating and cooling system, and keeps your energy bills lower.

A home without enough insulation has air leaks that can lead to expensive heating and cooling costs. Those leaks can also allow outside pollutants into your home, and cause condensation that promotes mold growth. Insulation and air sealing can prevent these problems and save you money.

The type of insulation you choose will depend on the climate where you live. However, you’re likely to find that most types of insulation provide a similar level of performance. For example, cellulose and fiberglass insulation both trap pockets of air that slow the transfer of heat. These materials are also available in different forms to meet your specific needs, such as loose-fill or spray foam.

If you’re building a new home, consider choosing structural insulated panels or insulating concrete forms. These products have insulation built in, and can help you achieve better R-values than traditional stud or stick frame construction methods. They can also reduce thermal bridging, and ensure that the entire wall is insulated for maximum efficiency.

For older homes, insulation can be a cost-effective upgrade. You can also add cellulose or spray foam to existing walls and ceilings. However, before you invest in insulation, check that your current insulation is still in good condition. If you have high energy bills, unequal indoor temperatures, or mold growth, it’s time for a change.

Not only does adding insulation improve your energy efficiency, but it can also increase the value of your property. As energy-efficient upgrades are becoming increasingly popular with prospective home buyers, insulation is a smart investment that can pay off when you’re ready to sell your house.

Reduces Illnesses

Insulation is an important component of a green building, and it can reduce the need for energy consumption. In addition, insulation can help to improve indoor air quality, which can lead to reduced illness in the occupants of the building. Insulation also helps to reduce odors and moisture in the building, which can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products, primarily newsprint. It is first reduced to small pieces and then fiberized, creating a material that packs tightly into building cavities. It is then mixed with mineral borate, which makes it fire-resistant and water-resistant. This material can be installed in walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as around heating and cooling systems.

Studies have shown that the onset of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma can be prevented or exacerbated by cold and damp housing conditions. One study found that a retrofitting of home insulation can decrease the occurrence of these illnesses by up to 10%. This reduction is even greater in children. The study also found that a four percent reduction in prescriptions for medication to treat the symptoms of these illnesses was observed in homes with insulation.

This study used a risk-based methodology to estimate the public health benefits associated with increased residential insulation, and included both mortality and morbidity outcomes. Its results indicate that a retrofitting of residential insulation to IECC 2000 levels would save lives, reduce medical costs for the population, and result in an economic payback period of less than 6 years. However, the study did not consider upstream emissions associated with insulation manufacturing or fuel extraction and processing.

Increases Home Health

Insulation helps to create a healthier indoor living environment by creating a barrier between outdoor pollutants and the interior of your home. This can significantly reduce asthma and allergy symptoms for susceptible individuals in the home. It can also prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth, which is a major health risk in many homes.

Proper insulation slows the transfer of heat, which reduces the amount of energy it takes to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This allows your heating and cooling systems to work less hard, which extends their life and saves you money over time.

Studies have shown that a poorly insulated home wastes about 15% of the energy it consumes on heating and cooling. This can lead to expensive energy bills and a lot of wear and tear on your heaters and air conditioners. Proper insulation and air sealing can help to avoid this waste by preventing unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of your home.

As well as keeping your home at a consistent temperature, proper insulation can help to reduce noise pollution. This is particularly beneficial if you live on a busy street or have loud neighbors. By absorbing sound and reducing its transmission, insulation can make your home a more peaceful place to relax and sleep.

Studies have found that insulating existing houses resulted in a warmer, drier indoor environment and led to improved self-rated health, reduced wheezing, fewer days off school and work and visits to general practitioners, and lower hospital admissions for respiratory conditions. These findings demonstrate that home insulation is a cost-effective way to improve health outcomes, especially for those living in low-income households.

Patrick Eisenberg