Insulation

Insulation works, very simply, by trapping air within the insulation material. Once the air molecules are trapped, their movements become restricted, which slows the transfer of heat through the insulation material. This is achieved by reducing conduction, convection, and radiation. Ultimately, the purpose of insulation in a building is to slow the transfer of heat from inside the building to outside as much as possible.

R-value refers to how well insulation can keep heat from leaving or entering your home. The R-value of insulation is measured per inch of thickness and varies based on the type, thickness, and density of the insulation material. A higher R-value usually means higher energy efficiency and better climate control. Unfortunately, a higher R-value usually means higher expense.

Yes, new insulation installation provides a wonderful return on investment. Setting aside the well-known savings costs in energy efficiency, the ROI on insulation on its own is one of the top home improvements that someone can make. In 2016, Remodeling Magazine included attic insulation in their annual “Cost vs Value” home improvement report and found that adding fiberglass attic insulation gave a mammoth 117% return on investment. Clearly, adding insulation will pay for itself in the long run in terms of value added to the home. Additionally, upgrading your insulation and, therefore, your energy efficiency could entitle you to certain tax incentives!

In addition to the return on investment from value added to the home, new insulation can save money on regular energy costs. The EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by adding insulation to attics, crawlspaces, and basement joists. For the average home, that comes out to about $200 in annual savings. In colder parts of the country, the savings from new insulation can be even higher, up to 20%. While new insulation can be a big investment, it will pay for itself in the long run with energy savings and value added to the home.