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 Revealing R-values


Peel back insulation for layers of cost savings By Kris Wendtland





insulation to keep cold air out and warm air in. Just as a coat closet features thin jackets for fall and heavy jackets for winter, different types of insulation, ranked by  your electric bills affordable. 


Comparing Insulation VALUE


other parts of your home, like windows, to resist the transfer of heat. The rating depends on material, thickness, and density, and a higher R-value indicates more effective insulation. Multiple layers of insulation may be combined for a higher cumulative R-value. 


R-value of 30 or more,” shares Gary Hickman, community development/energy advisor at Oklahoma Electric Cooperative.


How Insulation Works Metals and liquids easily transfer heat, making


them bad insulators. Air, however, does not conduct heat, making it a strong insulator when isolated in small pockets. Just as fur keeps animals warm, insulation holds


heat in (or out) of a building. Fur is a collection of  smaller the space for air in between the cylinders and the more spaces there are (longer hair equals more space), the greater the insulation. Building insulation works on the same principle.


   protection—when installing insulation. When an  space, critical air pockets are eliminated. For this reason, actual insulating R-values may not always match the label. Insulation must be installed correctly 


The Value of R-Values 


saving more than half of the energy dollars spent on heating or air conditioning. However, as more 


6


     


Compare R-values and common uses for several types of insulation:


Type of Insulation


Batts, Rolls Fiberglass


RockWool Cotton


R-value per inch (range)


Common Uses


3.17 (3.0-4.0) Wall, floor, and ceiling cavities


3.17 (3.0-3.7) Wall, floor, and ceiling cavities


3.2


Loose, Poured, or Blown Fiberglass


RockWool Dry Cellulose


2.2 (2.2-4.0) 3.1 (2.8-3.7) 3.2 (2.8-3.7) 2.7 (2.5-4.0)


Wall, floor, and ceiling cavities


Installation Method


Fitted between studs, joists, or rafters


Fitted between studs, joists, or rafters


Fitted between studs, joists, or rafters


Ceiling cavities Poured and fluffed, or blown by machine


Ceiling cavities Poured and fluffed, or blown by machine


Ceiling cavities Blown by machine


Wet-Spray Cellulose 3.5 (3.0-3.7) Wall cavities Sprayed into cavities Perlite


Hollow concrete block


Polyurethane


Open-cell Isocyanurate (Icynene™)


Magnesium Silicate (Air Krete®)


6.2 (5.8-6.8) Wall and ceiling cavities, roofs


3.6 3.9 Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, E Source


Wall and ceiling cavities


Wall cavities Poured Foamed into cavities


Foamed into open or closed cavities


Foamed into open cavities


www.okcoop.org


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