Most homeowners think of insulation as a thick warm winter jacket for their home – buffering the heated air inside against the cold weather outside. Like a winter jacket, they pack it away in the mental closet when the weather warms up and forget about it until it turns cool again.

Building professionals, however, know that insulation is more like a thermos – it keeps warm things warm and cool things cool.  Homeowners can reduce their energy bills by up to 25 percent in the summer months, and almost 50 percent in the winter months simply by upgrading or retrofitting insulation into their homes.

    The quality of insulation is measured as an “R-value”, or the thermal resistance of an insulation product.  The higher the value, the more effectively the product insulates.  That said, no matter how high the R-value of your insulation products, all your best efforts can be undone where there are air or moisture leaks.  To use the “winter jacket” analogy again – if you leave your coat open, or your coat gets wet, it won’t do much to keep you warm! 

When talking to contractors about insulating your home, be sure to ask not only about the R-value of the products they’re using, but also how they ensure that the area is air-sealed properly.  Make sure moisture issues are considered and addressed, and the product is installed correctly for maximum lifetime value.  

    The type of insulation with which most people are familiar is the fiberglass batt insulation, which come in long rolls and is installed between joists and behind drywall.  As a result, most homeowners think that to improve the insulation of their homes, they need to rip out the walls of their house, install insulation, and then re-drywall.  Is it any wonder that homeowners cringe when considering an insulation upgrade?

    Fortunately, the building industry has developed two great products that are perfect for retrofits.

    1) Blown Cellulose Insulation – Blown insulation is made from 100 percent recycled cellulose broken down into small fibers.  It is literally blown using high pressure air, to create a thick blanket of insulation.  Because it’s blown (rather than laid down in large sheets), it can get into areas that would be difficult to install otherwise, such as low attic spaces or behind walls.

    2) Spray Foam Insulation – This product is similar to blown insulation in that it’s designed to get into nooks and crannies that older batt insulation can’t reach. However, it also provides the added advantage of air sealing as well, making it perfect for closed crawl spaces and around draft points like windows.  Spray foam is applied using a high pressure liquid spray, which then expands dramatically (more than 200 times).  Because it’s initially applied as a liquid, it can reach every crack and crevice of your home, and because it expands, it can fill the smallest gaps to provide the maximum insulation value.

    Myths and misconceptions about insulation often hold homeowners back from moving forward with improving their homes energy efficiency and achieving lower utility bills.  When in doubt, talk to your local contractor about how improved insulation, properly installed, could benefit your home and your pocketbook.

     Chad E. Vaughn is vice president of The Service Company of Mississippi, LLC. E-mail him at Chad.Vaughn@the-service-company.com or visit the company’s website at www.the-service-company.com.