If you were on a very skinny budget and had to make a choice, you would insulate your ceiling first. Installing ceiling insulation can save around 35% on heating and cooling energy. Compare this to insulating your walls. Insulating your walls saves around 15% on heating and cooling energy.
According to these statistics, insulating your ceiling will make more of an impact than your walls, so you should make it your priority. By installing ceiling insulation, you could see a 35% reduction in your power bill.
Depending on where you live and the part of your home you're insulating (walls, crawlspace, attic, etc.), you'll need a different R-Value. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.
Because a large volume of indoor heat is lost through the ceiling, the attic floor above is considered the most important area in the house to insulate for winter comfort and efficiency.
As for attic vs. wall insulation, always go for the attic. The largest pay back will be seen here. You would stop heat loss from natural convection and block solar gain (an increase in heat) in the attic, which can result in energy savings of 30 to 50 percent.
There comes a point where too much insulation starts to have a negative effect — financially, environmentally, and in terms of the longevity of your home. So yes, it is possible to over-insulate your house. Fortunately, insulation fixation is a monkey not many people have on their backs.
Wall insulation will improve your home's energy efficiency, and make your indoor temperatures more comfortable year round. It can also reduce noise transfer, improve moisture control and cut down your carbon footprint.
Do not cover any ventilation with fiberglass insulation and do not wrap wiring with insulation. Insulation can be flammable. Don't allow gaps in your attic. If you do find small gaps, use spray foam or seal with caulk.
In most cases, interior walls are not insulated during construction. Unlike exterior walls, which must meet local and state codes for insulation, interior wall insulation is rarely required. This is because interior insulation has much less impact on your home's energy efficiency – but it can still play a role.
Insulate all exterior walls, including (3A) walls between living spaces and unheated garages, shed roofs, or storage areas; (3B) foundation walls above ground level; (3C) foundation walls in heated basements. 4. Apply insulation to floors above unconditioned spaces, such as vented crawl spaces and unheated garages.
If you don't insulate your ceiling, the heat from your home will rise and escape through the roof. Also, in the summer, the heat from the roof space will radiate into the rooms. This means the building envelope struggles to maintain comfort.
The walls, floors and ceilings of your home should feel warm and dry to the touch. When drywall and panelling inside a home feels damp or cold, that's a clear sign there's not enough insulation. Alternatively, when touching an exterior wall, it should feel cold because insulation is keeping warm air inside a home.
Increases Strain on Your HVAC System
All of the time and work that your HVAC system puts into heating your home is wasted if you have roof insulation because the heat gets lost in the attic. You'll end up paying significantly more on your energy bills, and your HVAC's life span will be shorter.
Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold, saving you up to 20% on your heating and cooling energy costs.
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient and improve indoor temperature regulation. In fact, home insulation can save 45-55% of heating and cooling energy. The ceiling is one of the most impactful areas you can insulate, reducing heat loss and gain by as much as 25-35%.
Efficient Heating and Cooling
Insulation on exterior walls puts a blanket-like barrier between your living area and extreme outdoor temperatures. Insulating your walls can prevent this by limiting air movement, enabling you to save up to 40 percent in heating and cooling bills.
The internal surface of an insulated wall will tend to be warmer, reducing the likelihood of condensation forming, but there will be areas – such as where an external wall meets an internal wall – that remain cold. There is a distinct risk of condensation forming in those areas, typically in high-level corners.
Insulating interior walls can be especially useful in homes where there are unused rooms, guest rooms or storage rooms – the insulation will reduce the amount of heat transfer into such rooms that don't require heating or cooling, reducing both heat and air conditioning costs.
Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.
Batt insulation is a type of insulation blanket. These are pre-cut sections of insulation that are usually fiberglass, although cellulose, mineral wool, natural fibers and plastic versions are also available. This type of insulation is the best insulation for unfinished walls, floors and ceilings.
In addition to walls and attics, insulation should be installed in ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and in between interior walls—especially bathrooms—as well as ceilings and floors.
Without insulation, heat from your home can escape through the walls, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. This heat loss can also lead to higher energy bills and wasted resources.
The added insulation will allow a homeowner to sell their house at a higher price point. The impact on property value varies depending on the size of the home and the type of insulation installed; however, homeowners can expect to enjoy at least a 2 to 6 percent increase on overall property value.
Drywall thickness is also related to other properties of drywall, such as insulation and other protection. Thicker drywall panels offer additional benefits such as fire- and moisture-resistant qualities, as well as more effective insulation.