Insulation helps prevent heat loss in the winter and reduces heat gain in the summer, reducing the demand for energy-intensive heating and cooling systems. This contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower utility bills.
Moreover, eco-friendly insulation materials such as fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam use recycled or renewable resources, contributing to resource conservation. Embracing sustainability isn’t just about reducing your carbon footprint, but also improving comfort and extending HVAC lifespans.
Reduced Energy Consumption
Insulation reduces energy consumption by preventing unwanted heat transfer, significantly lowering heating and cooling demand. It can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Whether you’re building a new home or updating your current home, installing insulation is one of the best ways to promote a greener lifestyle. In addition to choosing eco-friendly materials, you can reduce your energy consumption by sealing air leaks, minimizing drafts and ensuring that your house is properly sized.
When you choose to install eco-friendly insulation, consider the different areas that need insulating, as well as the climate where your property is located. For example, cellulose insulation made from recycled newspaper is a great option for colder climates, as it has excellent thermal properties. In addition, it is less toxic than fiberglass or spray foam.
Blown-in or spray foam insulation can be sourced from eco-friendly formulations that use renewable or recycled materials, reducing the demand for natural resources and lowering the energy needed to manufacture these products. This in turn decreases the energy consumed by power plants and helps to minimize carbon emissions.
The energy savings associated with insulating your home will vary by household, but the typical homeowner can expect to save over 100 kWh each month. This translates into annual energy cost savings of over $500 per household.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Insulation creates a barrier that limits the transfer of heat from hot to cold objects. This helps to maintain desired indoor temperatures, which minimizes the need for excessive heating or cooling, which reduces energy consumption. It also keeps outdoor noises from penetrating the interior of a building, creating a quieter environment.
Having sufficient insulation in the walls, roof and floor of a home or commercial structure is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since most of the energy used to heat a home comes from fossil fuels, adding insulation decreases a building’s carbon footprint and its resulting GHG emissions.
In fact, it is often possible for the embodied carbon in a certain type of insulation to be offset within a few years. This is based on the amount of energy required to make and transport the product, as well as the energy savings that it provides.
Many different types of insulation are available, each designed to serve a specific climate and construction type. Some of the most popular include fiberglass, which is comprised of glass fibers that are compressed into sheets or rolls and installed in a home’s framing. Cellulose is another common option, which is made from recycled paper and typically air-blown into a home.
Other options include foam insulation, which is available in a variety of different formulations and install methods. Some have a lower impact on the environment than others, which is why it’s important to research your options before selecting an insulation type.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Insulation keeps heat in during the winter and out during the summer, minimizing energy usage. It also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a greener planet for future generations.
Eco-friendly insulation is often made from recycled materials, reducing the use of virgin resources and cutting down on waste. Certain types of insulation are also hygroscopic, meaning they absorb and release moisture to regulate indoor humidity levels and prevent mold and mildew growth. This can help to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and increase the value of your home.
Moreover, premium-quality eco-friendly insulation is usually made from plant-based products, such as cellulose, wool or hemp, rather than fossil fuel-based foams like polyurethane spray foam. This makes it one of the most sustainable insulation options out there.
Another important benefit of eco-friendly insulation is its ability to provide a comfortable indoor environment without the need for excessive heating or cooling, which can have an adverse impact on health and comfort. It also contributes to improved indoor air quality, by preventing the infiltration of pollutants from the outside. This is especially beneficial in buildings with small cracks or gaps that can allow outdoor contaminants into the confined space. By sealing these gaps with a good sealant and using ventilation systems that promote the exchange of stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air, eco-friendly insulation can significantly improve IAQ and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Increased Home Value
Home insulation is an excellent addition to any home, but especially in today’s market. Many buyers are looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and increase their property value. This is because the higher a home’s value, the more money it will likely make when sold. While you might think that upgrading your kitchen or bathroom is the best way to increase a home’s value, it actually might not be as good as adding new insulation.
The fact is that homes without sufficient insulation use 15% more energy than they should. This is a result of heat escaping from the house and increased wear and tear on heating and cooling equipment. Proper insulation and air sealing will eliminate these energy leaks and lower your electricity bills significantly.
In addition to saving on energy costs, proper insulation will also protect against moisture problems such as mildew and mold. These problems are very undesirable for potential buyers, as they can lead to health issues, such as respiratory illnesses. Insulation acts as a barrier against water and helps prevent the spread of mold, keeping your home healthy and inviting for any interested buyer.
While it is difficult to predict exactly how much added insulation will impact a home’s value, most real estate agents agree that this upgrade will add value to a property. This is because it makes the home more comfortable, attractive, and sustainable.