Posts Tagged ‘reflective foil insulation’
There are numerous ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Installing good quality aluminum insulation and new windows are great ways to keep air from getting into your home.
Maximizing energy efficiency is one of the biggest trends in new home building lately. There are a variety of ways to do this and they may not be as expensive as you might think. You can improve energy efficiency on virtually every decision you make, from appliances to light fixtures to choosing the right types of aluminum insulation. Being proactive about it while you build the house will equal huge savings when you finally live in it. These decisions can also positively affect your home’s value.
If the initial investment into energy efficient items in your home seems like a lot, check with your power company. Many electric companies offer credits and rebates for people making the switch to energy efficient items in their homes. Simply buying an energy efficient stove or refrigerator could put cash in your pocket in addition to the energy savings.
If you live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers, quality aluminum insulation is key to keeping things a comfortable temperature without losing a lot of hot or cool air, depending on the season. Use the insulation between floors to eliminate wintertime drafts. Invest in some high quality windows to prevent air from getting in or out. Some even come with a tint to keep the sun from beating in during those warm summer months.
While the important things for temperature control are windows and aluminum insulation, don’t underestimate your light fixtures when looking for ways to save. Always use the Energy Star rated CFL bulbs. They cost quite a bit more than a standard bulb, but can mean big savings. One bulb alone can save $40 in electricity over its lifetime. They use 75 percent less energy than a standard bulb and last up to ten times longer. Never underestimate the little things when trying to make your home use less energy.
Foil insulation may be new when compared to fiberglass insulation, but that doesn’t mean that it is better. Foil insulation carries many more benefits.
The concept behind foil insulation has been around for years, but few people know the real benefits from it and still use fiberglass to insulate their homes, offices, garages, and any other place that they want to stay warm … but why?
Fiberglass insulation has been around since the late 1800’s; that is what people are used to and comfortable with. There are a couple 
of different kinds of fiberglass to choose from – rolled insulation (or batt insulation), and loose fill-blow insulation. Which one to choose depends on where you want it used. Typically loose fill-blow insulation is used in attics, while the rolled insulation is used for the rest of your home.
However, this type of insulation also carries some risks to the installer. It tends to be made from bits of glass, limestone and other harmful materials if inhaled or touched. It is recommended that you use heavy gloves and a breathing mask when installing it. If there were a different, better, safer way of insulating, wouldn’t you try it?
There are three types of heat transferring agents – convection, conduction and radiant, with radiant being the primary method. Fiberglass insulation, along with other types of insulation, reduces convection and conduction, but does little for radiant heat. These types of insulations will eventually let air in and out, causing your energy bills to go up. Yet what if I told you that you could reduce your heating and cooling bills, and save on energy use? Would you be interested? I’m sure you are.
Foil insulation, or a radiant barrier, holds its roots in aluminum foil (yes, the same foil we use around the house and in the kitchen), but they have their differences. Regular aluminum foil is thin, tears easily and is mixed with other alloys that will oxidize over time. Foil insulation contains more aluminum for better reflectivity and is coated for better durability and corrosion resistance. It also has a mesh interior to give it a bit of weight for easier handling. This type of insulation works by deflecting the radiant heat, keeping the cooler air in during the summer and the warm air in during the winter. All of this will cause your heating and cooling bills to be lower than ever before.
Now you know the basic differences between foil insulation and fiberglass. So next time you have to choose what kind of insulation to use, which kind of insulation will you go with?
So you’ve decided to install radiant barrier in your home, yes? Good move. I installed EcoFoil in my home this summer and can’t wait to see (and feel!) the difference in my heating bill this winter.
The experts at EcoFoil knew folks like us needed some tips before we got started with our projects. Here’s another of their great videos, this one reviewing the steps involved just prior to installation:
- how to measure
- tools needed
- safety precautions
It’s that time of year again, when the sun’s heat comes beating down and my air conditioner works 24/7. I’m researching options to help make my HVAC run more efficiently. One product I’m interested in is called radiant barrier, a type of attic insulation. Here’s a little video that explains some about how all that heat gets into your house to start with:
Feels like we have done a dive bomb straight from winter into summer this year. Spring? What spring? We skipped right over that season and have gone from using our furnaces to turning on the air conditioning in just a couple short weeks. Too warm in the evening to open windows and the days have been pushing 90 degrees already.
Here in Iowa we were spoiled last year, we had an extremely seasonal summer, several evenings we were in jackets or under blankets watching the kids play ball. Windows remained open and our energy bills reflected the lack of using our air conditioning. This year is going to be quite the opposite. We’ve not completed May and we’re running the air-conditioning non-stop. I cringe to see this month’s electric bill.
It might be easier to swallow if the second story in my two-story home were actually cool. The difference in temperatures from the first level to the second is quite disappointing. This being said I have begun the pursuit of a remedy without closing the downstairs vents and turning the temperature even colder. When I “Googled” my situation, I began reading about insulation in my attic (which I had blown in when it was built and there is more than the “recommended” amount). What I have found is a lot of information about radiant barrier insulation and attic foil. This is the process by which energy (heat) is reflected rather than absorbed by insulation. I’m still learning about emissivity and wavelengths. Seems as though NASA has been using this technology since 1954 and it is just now that it is becoming available to civilians.
I am still in the process of measuring my square footage, investigating the scientific concepts behind the process, and deciding upon the correct product. The enticing factor is a cooler second story without the pain of the out of control electric bill both in the summer with reflecting the summer’s heat in the attic and the increased warmth in the winter when it would be another barrier from allowing my heat to permeate through the attic keeping my second story warmer. As I continue to ponder the decision between the initial investment of the barrier and the double seasonal use of winter and summer worth versus continually increasing energy bills my decision is beginning to weigh in the direction of installing the barrier. I know we can install it ourselves in a weekend and hopefully, according to the testimonials I have read, enjoy the lower electric bills and increased comfort in our home.