Are you building a new home or planning to re-insulate your existing one? Insulation is important for both increasing your home’s energy efficiency and keeping you more comfortable in your home year round. But which insulation material should you use? There are several different options, all with their own advantages—and cellulose is one such option.
Let’s further discuss the qualities of cellulose insulation that make it a good choice for your project. Cellulose is one of the best types of insulation because it:
Can Help Save You Money
By insulating with cellulose, you can save a lot of money each year as long as the installation is done correctly and the recommended R-values for your area are reached (for this, you’ll need a local professional insulation company). Cellulose insulation pays for itself in the long run!
Is Environmentally-Friendly Insulation
Made of up to 80 percent recycled material (mostly newspaper), cellulose is the most environmentally friendly type of insulation. There’s no other insulation material that has this amount of recycled content!
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) estimates that insulating a 1,500 square-foot home with cellulose insulation recycles the amount of newspaper a person throws away over a 40-year period. If all new homes were insulated with this environmentally-friendly insulation, 3.2 million tons of newspaper would be removed from trash heaps every year! Also, cellulose insulation requires less energy to produce than other types of insulation.
Has Superior Soundproofing Abilities
If outside noises seem louder than they should be, it could indicate your walls don’t have enough insulation. If you want to insulate for soundproofing purposes, cellulose is ideal. In fact, cellulose insulation is one of the best types of insulation for soundproofing.
Is an Efficient Insulator
R-value is the standard measurement for determining insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation is. The recommended R-value/inch for loose-fill cellulose is between 3.2 and 3.8, which is right on scale with other insulation materials.
Can Reduce Air Leaks
Another factor to consider—besides R-value—is how well insulation can block air leakage through gaps in your home’s outer envelope (you may not know it, but there are many cracks and crevices behind your walls!). Air leaks result in about one-third of the average home’s heat loss—but cellulose is great at reducing or eliminating air leakage.
Want to Install Cellulose Insulation?
If you’re trying to do your part for the environment, cellulose is the best type of insulation you could choose. Whether you’re re-insulating various areas of your home or choosing insulation for a new construction project, cellulose could be perfect for your needs.
To learn more about this environmentally-friendly insulation, or if you’re ready to install it in your home in Southern California, contact OJ Insulation!
