How to Insulate Your Home

Hey Mr. Green,

My attic has part rock-wool insulation and part fiberglass, to the depth of the ceiling joists. I'd like to throw a "blanket" over the existing layer, preferably one that won't release bits of fiberglass when I walk around up there. Is there a nontoxic, nonflammable, ideally encapsulated insulation that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

--Anna in Grass Valley, California

You need at least another six inches of insulation up there, as do millions of others, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That's because 40 percent of a typical home's energy use goes toward heating, and a lot of it is lost through the ceiling. (The DOE's Web site offers customized insulation recommendations.) Encapsulation insulation (in which the fiberglass fibers are sealed behind a protective film) is available.

Yes, fiberglass can irritate the body, but I think its dangers have been exaggerated. If you're concerned about formaldehyde, you can use formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation, and all fiberglass is made with up to 40 percent recycled glass. Other options include insulation made of recycled paper.

Whatever you choose, avoid tromping on it: You'll squish out its R-value, and with the joists concealed by the new layer, one misstep could send you plunging through the ceiling (truly costing you an arm and a leg). Installing insulation can be tricky, however, especially in an older home, so I strongly recommend consulting a reliable installer before you begin.

Finally, don't forget to insulate and weather-strip the door that leads to the attic, and remember that if your house has leaks around windows, doors, pipes, vents, ceiling lights, or even electrical outlets, you can lose 30 percent of your heat. The DOE provides excellent information about finding and dealing with these mini-escapes here.

Comments

[Gene]

A nice formaldehyde-free batt insulation I saw at West Coast Green were EcoBatts. They're not encapsulated, but not nasty like some fiberglass batts.

Another option are batts from denim. They're a little harder to cut and produce some blue dust, but something to consider.

[Mark Tyrol]

How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

These often overlooked sources of energy loss and air leakage can cause heat and AC to pour out and the outside air to rush in -- costing you higher energy bills.

But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer?

To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com

Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover and an attic access door. Battic Door is the US distributor of the fireplace plug.

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[Floor Heat]

Despite the fact that by switching to a radiant heating system that gives an abundance of floor heat to heat up a home w/o loosing any actual heat to the ceilings or attic. However, to ensure that the heat stays inside during the winter and cool during the summers, I would suggest that you insulate in between attic columns, above crawl spaces, and inside any exterior walls.

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this part of blog "Encapsulation insulation (in which the fiberglass fibers are sealed behind a protective film) is available." was very interesting, thank you!

[John]

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Thanks for sharing ! I had no idea about it fiberglass. I was irritating with fiberglass from last 3 months but had not known that fiber is behind it. I will certainly go for you can use formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation.

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[Roselyn Withem]

It's alright to do the insulation by yourself, as long as you are equipped and skilled enough to do it. But there are some things which should be relegated to the experts. After all, they know which types of insulation work best with specific types of roofs.