A well-insulated home can significantly reduce your energy bill and ensure your comfort all year. Understanding how the mechanism works and the role of insulating systems in reducing heat loss can help you improve your property’s energy efficiency.
How Insulation Systems Work
The material that is used to insulate buildings works as a barrier that hinders heat transmission inside and outside your property. If it works well and is installed properly, insulation can keep your house warm in the winter and cool during the summer without the need for artificial solutions. This is why insulated properties are more energy and cost-efficient.
The Science
To understand how that happens, we must understand how heat is transmitted through buildings. Generally, it flows towards a lower temperature which is why a poorly insulated home loses heat fast. It escapes through any opening in your walls, roof, windows, and even the floor.
The heat is transmitted through construction material via conduction, a natural phenomenon that occurs via direct contact. In homes, metal is the best heat conductor, and so are masonry and concrete, while wood is a poor conductor.
Your home can also lose heat via convection which occurs in liquids and gases. This occurs if a hot surface is exposed to cold air, which warms up and loses density. Warmer and lighter air rises and is replaced by cold air. This cycle repeats to maintain the temperature of a space and reverses if warm air touches a cold surface. In homes, convection occurs in walls and roof cavities where insulation foam is injected.
This is the role of insulating systems. A well-insulated home will keep warm air in and keep cool air out.
The Role of R-Values
Insulating material is only as good as its R-value. That is its resistance to conductive heat flow, which is measured according to its thermal resistance. A high R-value means higher insulation efficiency. However, moisture retention rates, aging, and temperature can also affect this value. So when determining the R-value of installation material, remember to add each layer’s values.
You can increase your home’s R-value by adding more insulation. The thicker the insulation, the warmer your family will be. However, you should consult with professionals beforehand. The density of insulation can increase when it is compressed under its weight. This is why loose-filled insulation does not alter with thickness.
The efficiency of its heat resistance also depends on its location. For instance, if it is compressed, the insulation material may not be able to provide the same or more R-value than the R-value of your walls. This is because heat also flows via thermal bridging, i.e., through studs and other construction materials. Insulation material that is filled into your property’s cavities will reduce airflow and prevent hot air from escaping, saving energy.
Contact Pure Eco Inc. for Heating Solutions
Contact us at Pure Eco Inc. for a consultation if you are searching for heating solutions or insulation services that can reduce your energy bill. We offer a wide range of insulation solutions that meet your needs for crawl spaces, attics, building cavities, new construction, and more. Get a free quote by contacting us at (877)870-7998.
