Many people don’t think twice about their insulation. However, insulation can actually influence your AC usage. Insulation acts as a barrier that prevents heat from entering your home during the summer months and keeps cold air from entering your home during the winter. Continue reading to find out how insulation works and how it can affect your air conditioning use.
How Does Insulation Work
By limiting the rate at which heat transfers, home insulation can either conduct, convect, or radiate depending on the time of year. Here’s how:
- Conduction. Occurs when the hotter area transfers its heat to the colder area.
- Convection. Occurs when a liquid or gas that is hotter/colder transfers its heat to the surrounding area whose temperature is different.
- Radiation. Occurs when a hot surface transfers heat to a cooler surface until there is no difference in temperature.
Types of Insulation
Fiberglass:
Fiberglass insulation is a fine glass fiber that is often used in the following types of insulation materials:
- Blanket (batts and rolls)
- Loose-fill
- Rigid boards
- Ducts
Mineral Wool:
Mineral wool is an insulating material that falls under two types:
- Rock Wool: This synthetic material has a make-up of natural minerals (think basalt and diabase).
- Slag Wool: Another man-made material that is made of furnace waste that develops from liquified metal.
Cellulose:
Using recycled paper products (most newspapers), Cellulose is a type of insulation found in both new and old construction builds. Through fiberization, small paper pieces form a compact product that is packed into attics and walls.
Natural fibers:
Some insulations are made of natural fibers like wool, straw, hemp, and cotton. Each material has an inherent ability to insulate your home by lowering energy use and maintaining indoor temperature long-term.
Polystyrene:
As a transparent thermoplastic material, Polystyrene is a loose-fill type of insulation that is made of small, compact particles. When the Polystyrene beads expand, they can be molded into lightweight, foam boards.
Polyisocyanurate:
Offered in liquid, spray foam, or foam board, Polyisocyanurate is a type of insulation that has low-conductivity and carbon-free properties.
Also available in laminated panels, polyisocyanurate is often cheaper than traditional foam boards due to its liquid molding ability.
Polyurethane:
As a thermoset foam material, Polyurethane can be bought in two forms:
- A closed-cell formula: The foam expands with the help of high-density, gas-filled cells, filling the surrounding space.
- An open-cell formula: Filled with air, this insulation is spongy to the touch, due to a lack of density.
Perlite:
Most often found in home attics built prior to 1950, Perlite insulation is made of small, heated pellets. As a loose-fill material, the insulation can be mixed with cement and poured into its designated area, creating a lightweight concrete-like filler.
Cementitious foam:
As a cement-based foam, cementitious insulation is either sprayed in place or molded to the designated area. Air crete (a type of magnesium silicate foam) is injected into small cavities with a shaving cream consistency. As a non-toxic option, cementitious foam is nonflammable and extracted from seawater.
Phenolic foam:
Though originally known as a rigid foam board insulation product, Phenolic foam is now regularly for sale as a foamed-in-place insulation method. Because the foaming agent is air, Phenolic can shrink by 2% once it is cured. For this reason, it is not as widely used today.
Insulation facings:
Facings are a protective product that keeps insulation safe and intact. Fastened to installed insulation, facings can also offer flame resistance, act as a heat transfer barrier, and offer water protection.
Facings can be made of a variety of materials including vinyl sheeting, aluminum foil, and craft paper. These materials act as a barrier for sealed joint insulation boards.
Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
- Enhanced Comfort:
By maintaining your home’s temperature, foam insulation ensures your home remains cold during the summer and warm in the winter, improving HVAC efficiency year-round.
- Improved Energy Bills:
With improperly installed attic insulation, your home can experience air leaks, resulting in a harder-working HVAC system. To limit energy use and extreme utility costs, it’s important to keep your home’s temperature consistent over time.
- Less Noise:
While insulation’s sole purpose is to maintain your home’s energy efficiency and temperature, it can also help with noise cancellation. Though it may not block out everything, insulation absorbs sound, leading to a quieter home.
- More Environmentally-Friendly:
Installing the right insulation can actually enhance your home’s energy performance. Not only does properly installed insulation save money, but it also reduces your carbon footprint.
- Increased Resale Value:
When you have quality insulation installed in your home and attic, your home’s operating costs are lowered, creating an ideal environment. By investing in effective insulation, you gain selling points that many buyers find attractive.
When Should I Call an Expert?
Insulation is important—but if it’s compromised, then you could end up paying a price. Problems like leaks or poorly insulated areas can cause your HVAC system to work harder than it should. In fact, signs like short cycling or unusually high energy bills can indicate poor insulation.
If you’re experiencing hiccups in your AC or furnace’s performance, give Day & Night a call. We’re always ready to help.
