Insulation Materials Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas in their cells to resist conductive heat flow. Highly reflective foils in radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems reflect radiant heat away from living spaces, making them particularly useful in cooling climates.
It is not an air barrier. Air can still pass through fiberglass and cellulose, and air contains heat. Therefore, the more air that passes through your insulation, the more heat your insulation has to block.
Most methods of building insulation, on the other hand, trap air in cells and restrict convection, allowing them to take advantage of poor heat conductivity of air.
In the winter, this means trapping and absorbing the heat from the home's heating system and keeping the warmth from escaping out into the chilly outdoors. In summer, however, insulation functions to keep the cold air in, and the hot air contained to the attic, where it rises naturally due to “The Stack Effect”.
Relationship Between Insulation and IAQ
The link between insulation and IAQ is twofold. On one hand, inadequate insulation can lead to air leaks and moisture issues, which can negatively impact IAQ. On the other hand, the type of insulation used and how it is installed can also directly impact IAQ.
Irritation to skin and respiratory system
Wall insulation solutions like Rockwool are made of ultra-fine fibres. While thermally efficient, they can cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Trapped air is a natural insulator and because it is trapped, convection currents cannot be set up easily. So, trapped air reduces heat loss by conduction and convection.
Should you insulate your attic roof? Insulation is a wise choice to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Quality insulation will make it more cost-effective to heat and cool your home, The Department of Energy's estimates range from a 10% to 50% savings, depending on several factors.
Insulation plays a big role in controlling the transfer of heat into your home. It keeps your home cooler by blocking outside heat from seeping in through walls, ceilings, and roofs.
Insulation and air sealing is a great place to start reducing the humidity inside your home, as you'll have better control over air infiltration, allowing your air conditioner to better maintain comfortable indoor humidity levels.
Thicker insulation boards offer higher thermal resistance (R-value) and better insulation performance. However, thinner options may suffice in applications where space is limited or where specific building regulations dictate minimum thickness requirements.
The simplest way to prevent heat loss is by insulating a roof, loft or attic. This keeps your heat trapped within your living space and increases your home's energy efficiency. Loft insulation costs should pay for themselves many times over in their average 40-year lifetime according to the EST.
Out of all types of insulation, aerogel has the highest R-value per inch of thickness, meaning less material is required to do a better job of preventing heat transfer into or out of a building.
The main goal of insulation is to prevent airflow. By doing that, HVAC systems in our buildings need less energy for heating or cooling. But sometimes fiberglass still allows airflow. It can be a major issue as you will be confronted with higher than usual energy bills and uncomfortable living.
If you find yourself feeling a little colder in a certain part of your house, give the walls a feel! Cold walls don't always mean there's dampness in your cavity, it could also mean your insulation is clumping, or you have saggy insulation (it's about as nice as it sounds).
If a ventilated roof is being constructed, there is a requirement to have a 50 mm fully ventilated air gap between the insulation and the sarking felt, in order to avoid condensation.
How heat escapes from your home. If you're asking yourself Why is my house so cold even with the heating on? or Why is my house not staying warm?, the truth is that air leaks—along with insufficient insulation—cause heat to escape directly from your home.
What causes cold walls? Poor insulation is the main reason why walls feel cold, especially in older properties with solid walls. Roughly 35% of heat loss is through walls and gaps, in and around windows and doors. Walls transfer heat and the warmth from your home will escape outside if your walls are poorly insulated.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot. The backing is especially flammable and will be a major fire hazard for your home.
While loft insulation is an effective way to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating costs, over-insulating can lead to several potential issues. Firstly, over-insulation can lead to poor ventilation in the attic, which can cause moisture buildup and increase the risk of mould growth.
Insulation (such as fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose) need a complete air barrier on all six sides. This ensures the thermal control layer works effectively, since air can flow through it.
Insulation is designed to slow heat transfer, not block airflow. Insulation and airflow are important for your space's health. Improper airflow can be hazardous, which is why it is crucial to work with an insulation expert.