Many people are confused when it comes to how to insulate their house, but it is actually quite a simple process and all that you need to do is know which areas are the best ones to insulate in order to keep heat loss to a minimum.

One of the most important areas that you need to look at is the loft, because it is here that most of the heat will be lost. Luckily this can be quite an easy area to insulate properly, and the job is something that can be done on a DIY basis. All that you need to do it is buy some rolls of insulation material and simply place them between the rafters. This will cut down heat loss by a huge percentage and could mean that your heating bills can really go down.

The next area to think about are the walls. The bad news is that insulating the walls usually does take professional help, which means that it can be quite an expensive job. The good news is that insulating the walls is not nearly as important as insulating the loft, though there will be some heat lost through these elements. The best thing you can do is get several quotes from professional contractors, and ensure that they have a good track record of doing this type of work. This will usually involve inserting some foam into the wall cavity.

The windows are another place where heat can be lost, and it is here that many people will look to save heat. However, although double glazing can help in this respect, single glazing with good quality Windows can do the job almost as good, and means you will not have to spend a great deal of money. This is a fact that is worth bearing in mind before you decide on double glazing.

Insulating your house will always cost money in some way, though by taking a bit of time to look at the options you can save yourself some money and still cut down on your heat loss.

Author: Carl Formby

Carl Formby owns and operates houseinsulationchoice.com, a site dedicated to insulation and especially Foil Faced Insulation and Vinyl Faced Insulation

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Formby

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Heat transfer in steel buildings occurs in three ways. They are conduction, convection and radiation. These problems can be regulated using proper insulation. Steel building insulation slows down the movement of heat. Insulation can regulate the temperature of these buildings. Steel building insulation also helps to diminish sound by sound absorption. The type and amount of insulation depends on the location of steel buildings. Steel building insulation provides energy savings, noise control and condensation control. There are different methods for steel building insulation.

The most widely used method for insulation is fiberglass insulation. Long strand fiberglass blankets are used for steel building insulation. Fiberglass is laminated on one side to a vapor barrier facing. Fiberglass insulation depends on the thickness of the blanket and the type of facing material. The quality of the fiberglass blanket is related to its thickness. Heat flow slows down with the increasing thickness of insulation.

Facing material is important in fiberglass insulation method. The main function of the facing material is to act as a vapor barrier. Different facing materials vary in their workability, permeability and durability. The workability of a facing material is related to the temperature conditions required for installation. Permeability of a facing is connected to the rate of water vapor. Durability refers to the physical quality of the facing material. The most commonly used facing material is polypropylene. The relative effectiveness of an insulator is determined by R value. R value is used to measure the total thermal transmittance of a material.

Reflective insulation is another method for steel building insulation. Reflective insulation is used to maintain the natural temperature. Heat transfer can be regulated using reflective insulation. Reflective insulation is composed of two outer layers of aluminum foil and an inner layer of inert material. Polyethylene or plastic can be used as the inner layer. Fiberglass inner layer gives more insulation power. Reflective insulation is not affected by humidity. It requires no special handling or clothing and is effective in both warm and cold weather.

Spray on insulation is a method for steel building insulation. It can be used for fire protection, moisture and thermal insulation. Spray on insulation consists of a mineral fibre and polyvinyl alcohol. The surface of steel is sprayed using a machine. Polyurethane spry foam can be used for steel building insulation.

Author: Peter Emerson

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

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Insulation is the process of enclosing or covering an object with a material that serves as a barrier and reduces (or blocks) the flow of energy, specifically heat. It is essentially used for the following reasons:

-To reduce heat energy losses.

-To prevent nearby objects from heating up.

Below are some examples where insulation is typically used:

-On appliances – stoves and ovens, refrigerators and freezers, water heaters, water pipes, etc.

-On industrial applications.

When done properly, insulation can provide indoor comfort (by keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter) and energy efficiency.

Determining and buying the insulation that is right for your household can be a challenge. Below are some helpful hints on how to go about buying the perfect insulation for your home.

1. What to insulate. The first thing to consider is to identify where the insulation will be installed or used. A personal inspection of your home may be sufficient, but it is still best to let the qualified people (such as your contractor) do the job.

Depending on your (or an expert’s) findings, your household might need any or all of the following insulation:

-Wall/cavity wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation prevents your house from being exposed to rapid temperature changes outside. Studies show that heat loss due to un-insulated walls can reach as much as 50%, and cavity wall insulation could possibly prevent 70% of this from happening.

-Loft/roof insulation. Because hot air rises, heat loss through the roof can reach as much as 25%. This can be greatly reduced with proper attic or loft insulation.

-Duct/pipe insulation. Leaky ducts or pipes can contribute to an increase in your heating (or cooling) costs. They can also burst (or freeze), so it is also important to have them properly insulated.

-Water cylinders/storage tanks. Hot water cylinders and cold water storage tanks also need to be insulated to prevent them from being exposed to intense cold or heat.

2. What to use. Traditional insulating materials that are commonly-used in the households are the following:

-Fiberglass/fiberglass mats/mineral fiber. Fiberglass is the most common and versatile type of insulating material that is made from molten glass and spun into microfibers.

Usually pink or yellow in color, fiberglass comes in 3 forms:

Rolls – blankets of insulation that may or may not have vapor barriers, which prevent condensation in cold areas that could result in damage (such as mold).

Batts – similar to rolls but come in lengths ranging from 4 to 8 feet.

Blown – these are loose insulation that can be ‘blown’ into walls or ceilings.

-Cellulose. Another insulating material that is commonly used in households is cellulose. It is a fibrous material made from scrap or recycled paper (like newsprint or cardboard) that is shredded and treated with chemicals that would make it resistant to fire and insects. It is then applied (poured or blown-in) into place, either as loose-fill or wet-sprayed with the use of a machine.

-Rock wool. As the name implies, rock wool is an insulating material that is made from rock. Manufactured similarly to that of a fiberglass (with molten rock replacing glass), rock wool can be in the form of a hollow brick or a porous concrete block.

-Synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulating materials are manufactured in several forms, some of which are the following:

Polystyrene foam – usually as rigid, pre-cut boards.

Polyurethane foam – usually as boards or foamed ‘insitu’ (“in position”).

Spray-on expanding foam – similar to that found in aerosol cans, it can completey seal and insulate even the smallest areas in the house by ‘poofing’ up to as much as 2 to 4 times the original size when applied.

Deciding on the right material to be used for installation largely depends on the area that requires installation. Below are some of the standard insulating materials that are recommended for the specific areas in your home:

-For loft or roof insulation

*Mineral wool quilt

*Blown mineral wool

*Blown cellulose fibre

-For duct or pipe insulation

*Mineral wool mat

*Pre-formed split foam insulation

*Foil-faced fiberglass insulation

*Vinyl-faced insulation

*Ridged foam insulation

-For wall insulation

*Blown-in cellulose

*Fiberglass (batt and roll) insulation

3. Check with an expert. Aside from your personal considerations, the key to finding the perfect insulation for your home is to consult a professional who is knowledgeable in this field. It is still best to check with an expert, who could provide you with several options that would best suit your needs.

Insulating your home may add to your household expenses today, but in the long run, it will not only save you money (by lowering your utility bills); it will also protect you and your property.

Author: John Morris

For more great insulation information and resources check out:

http://www.insulationhq.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris

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To complete an insulation project effectively and easily you need to use the correct products in the correct application. You also need to make sure you have a correct installation. The only way you can accomplish this is to have an understanding of the different product types available.

Reflective foil insulation comes in a wide range of sizes and styles. Unfortunately most distributors, especially e-commerce suppliers offer only a fraction of the overall products that are available and in only one edge detail. Different edge details provide different installation options.

Using the correct products can save you valuable time in installation and can make the installation go much easier. This ultimately makes your project more efficient and cost effective.

Reflective foil insulation is offered in three edge details.

1.Square Edge: When a roll of reflective foil insulation is designated as square edge, the edges of the material have no staple tabs or extra material allowing you to hang the material. This is similar to un-faced fiberglass insulation. Square edge insulation is attached through the face of the product. These products are best suited for ground applications and large runs of walls or ceilings.

2.Tab 2 Sides: When a roll of reflective foil insulation is designated as Tab 2 or Tabbed 2 sides, the roll has extra material or tabs on both sides allowing installation into studs or joists. This is similar to faced fiberglass insulation with installation tabs. This is the ideal product to use when you want the reflective foil insulation to run parallel with wall and ceiling bays.

3.Quick Seam: This edge design is a combination of installation tabs and an adhesive strip. Quick Seam is an excellent product to use when working with large runs of reflective foil insulation. It allows you to attach the material to itself making installation much easier. After installation is complete, you still need to tape all the seams with a high quality foil tape designed for use with reflective foil insulation. The adhesive strip aides in installation but is not to replace taping the seams which completes the radiant barrier.

To decide which edge detail to use look at your insulation project. Pay particular attention to how you are going to install the insulation. Determine what edge detail will provide the quickest and easiest installation. Quick seam products, which are generally more expensive than square edge products install twice as fast for example. Tab 2 products are perfect to install in stud bays and hang as fast as fiberglass insulation.

Utilizing the correct products allows for a faster installation, which increases your efficiency and saves you money. This is especially true if you are an insulation installer and install reflective foil insulation on a regular basis.

Author: Nick Semon

Nick Semon is the owner of Insulationstop.com, a leading online supplier of radiant barrier and reflective foil insulation products. He uses his 15 year experience in the building materials industry to provide information to consumers about better insulation practices. For more information on saving energy visit InsulateOurEarth.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Semon

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New government programs will encourage people to make their home more energy efficient and green. Insulation is an important part of an energy efficient home, but more insulation is not always better. Before you spend money on insulation (whether the money comes from you or from the government), it is important that you understand how insulation works. More insulation may waste money and can actually harm your home.

Heat flows from warm areas to cool areas. This occurs by three methods: convection, radiation, and conduction. Heat loss and heat gain in homes occurs by all of these methods. An energy efficient home must deal with all heat flow methods.

Convection is the flow of heat by movement of liquids and gasses such as air. Fill a cup with hot coffee and put your hand over the cup. Feel the heat above the cup. Much of this heat is the result of air that rises because it is heated by the coffee. Air moves heat and water vapor by convection.

Air and water vapor will move through any opening between the home’s interior and the outdoors. These openings include gaps around or through components such as recessed light fixtures, electrical receptacle and light fixture boxes, heat and air conditioning registers, and ventilation equipment such as bathroom exhaust fans. These openings also include gaps around windows and doors and around the bottom of exterior walls. Insulation is not effective against convective heat flow. Only sealing the gap with a solid material, such as caulk, or with an air barrier will stop convective heat flow.

Radiation is the flow of heat by electromagnetic waves. These waves do not require matter through which to flow, thus heat radiation can flow through a vacuum. Heat radiation is how the sun warms the earth and how a heat lamp keeps food warm.

Heat radiation flows through window glass. Other construction materials absorb most of the heat radiation and transfer the heat by conduction. Absorbing solar heat radiation can be a good thing during the winter, but during the summer you try to remove solar heat radiation by convection (opening windows) or by moving heat outside by mechanical means (air conditioning).

Dealing with heat radiation depends on where you live. If you live where it’s warm, you want to keep heat radiation outside the home. If you live where it’s cool, you want to keep heat radiation inside. Reflective coatings (low emissivity) on windows help keep heat radiation inside or outside. Light colored paint and roof coverings help reflect heat radiation and dark colors help absorb heat radiation. Radiant barriers installed in the attic reflect heat radiation and keep it out of the attic. Radiant barriers look like aluminum foil and are either hung from rafters or come as the bottom layer of roof sheathing in new construction. Radiant barriers are more effective than insulation in reducing radiation heat gain for homes in warm climates.

Conduction is the movement of heat through materials. Feel the heat on the exterior of the hot coffee cup. This is the result of conduction. The heat passes through the cup molecule by molecule. Some materials, such as metals, conduct heat easily. Other materials, such as wood, soil, and (amazingly) still air, conduct heat poorly. These materials are used as insulators.

Commercial insulation products resist conductive heat flow by using air trapped in the insulation. The ability of a material to resist conductive heat flow is called its R value. A larger R value means more resistance to conductive heat flow. Insulation with an R value of R-30 has more resistance to conductive heat flow than insulation with an R value of R-19.

Two common installation errors reduce insulation’s R value. Insulation must be installed in a continuous layer and at its full thickness for it to be fully effective. Compression of the insulation and gaps in its coverage dramatically reduce insulation’s resistance to conductive heat flow. Insulation must be installed where air cannot flow through it. At least one side of the insulation must be installed against an air barrier such as drywall. Because insulation works by using trapped, non-moving air, any air movement renders the insulation practically useless. Insulation must be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions; otherwise it will not be effective.

You should use the right tool for the job. Sometimes insulation is the right tool, but only if you are dealing with conductive heat flow and only if insulation is properly installed in a continuous layer and at full thickness. Air barriers and radiant barriers may be better tools, depending on the type of heat flow. You may need more analysis to determine the right tool, particularly when adding insulation to an uninsulated attic or crawl space. Insulation installed under certain conditions can create moisture problems that reduce insulation effectiveness, damage wood, and create conditions for mold growth.

Author: Bruce A. Barker

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