Insulate,The Days of Cheap Energy are Gone!
Insulate,The Days of Cheap Energy are Gone!
The days of cheap energy are gone,and homeowners have become aware of the high cost of heating and cooling a poorly insulated home.Each time you hear the furnace kick on,you here the sound of money burning,if your home is not properly insulated.
This is why building codes have been expanded to include minimium requirements for insulation in new construction.Older homes are not required to meet these standards,but the cost-conscious homeowner will do everything possible to ensure that his or her house is as energy-efficient as possible.
In an existing home ,do-it-yourself insulation projects are generally limited to attics,basements,and crawl spaces.Insulating finished walls is a job for a professional contractor,because holes will have to be drilled, to blow loose insulation into empty bays and other cavities.
Insulation should be placed between all heated and unheated areas.
The insulating value of a material is referred to as its “R-value”(R=resistance to heat flow).The higher the R number ,the better insulating properties of the material.
Insulating your attic is the most important energy saving home improvements you can make.(Remember,heat rises).
If you have no insulation in your attic,lay 6 1/4,R19 fiberglass insulation ,paper-or foil faced,in all the bays,with the vapor barrier (paper or foil) down.A vapor barrior should always face the heated living space.Be sure to leave a 1″air space at the eaves for ventilation.To get a R 30 value ,which is recommended in frost prone areas,lay3 1/2″ R 11,unfaced fiberglass over the first layer,at right angles to the joists.
If you already have insulation in your attic ,you should add more if it measures less than 6″ deep.If you add insulation over existing insulation,be sure that insulation is of the unfaced variety;there should never be a vapor barrier between layers of insulation.
A finished attic may be difficult or impossible to insulate yourself,and it may be a good idea to hire a contractor.
Installing insulation can be a bit unpleasant if your not properly outfitted with-gloves,hat,and long-sleeved shirt tucked into long pants;gogles and a dust mask are also recommended.dust your face,neck,and hands with talcum powder before you begin;it will keep you dry;therefore preventing the glass fibers from clinging to your skin.
You will increase your homes energy efficiency by installing insulation,or by adding to what is already there,is a project that will begin saving you money upon completion and add to the long term resale value of the house.You can save money by doing the work yourself in those areas that are accessible to you
Paul Beaudette is a handyman and home improvement expert,you can get more information by visiting his Website at…
http://home-improvement-hardware.com/blog
Article from articlesbase.com
Learn how to insulate your attic door or hatch.
Other articles you might like;
- Excellent Reasons To Invest In Scaffolding Instead Of Renting | http://www.article-archive.com/
- Make Money Online Easy And Quick Using Small Niche Web-Sites
- Alcoholic Symptoms Along with How That they Advance | http://www.article-archive.com/
- Low Cost Search Engine Optimization For Article Marketers | Article Directory
- The Best Way To Use Your Concrete Cut Off Saw By Using A Diamond Concrete Saw Blade
- Make Money Online Easy With Small Niche Web-Sites | Article Directory
- Tips on how to Get Your Dream House for Less - Tips about buying the best home in Jonesboro Arkansas
- Some of the Reasons To Look for The best Stressless Recliner | Article Directory
- Abdomen Flattening Workouts To Improve An individual‘s Wellbeing
- DUI Insurance - What You Need To Do After An Alcohol Related Driving Conviction
pretty cool