Adding insulation to your greater Cleveland home improves its thermal barrier, allowing the structure to better resist heat movement through it, and increasing the home’s energy efficiency. The question is, which insulation type is best to employ? In a cold climate like Northeast Ohio’s, blown-in loose-fill fiberglass and cellulose offer the most bang for your buck. Learn their primary differences and similarities; then talk to your HVAC contractor to make the selection that best suits your needs and your budget.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is inexpensive. It’s also relatively easy to install in the blown-in form using a special blower device. However, you can also install fiberglass rolls or batts that are easy to lay down in large spaces, though the process does require meticulous, patient work to apply the material from edge to edge. If the job is done poorly, the insulation’s efficiency decreases. When properly installed, however, fiberglass maintains its efficiency in moderate to cold temperatures. However, it will not act as an effective air barrier or moisture barrier. If the exterior envelope of your home leaks, or leaks exist between the attic and living spaces. you’ll still want to seal them, whether you have insulation or not.
Cellulose
Cellulose is also inexpensive and easy to install. Once you know how to use the blower device, you can easily install the insulation in the needed areas. Cellulose’s efficiency rating, or R-value, is similar to that of fiberglass; however, during very cold temperatures, cellulose outperforms fiberglass, resisting heat better when temperatures become extreme, an advantage for greater Cleveland homeowners. Cellulose also will not act as a proper barrier to resist air movement or moisture; however, because of its densely packed construction, it resists air movement better than fiberglass.
So what’s the bottom line when choosing insulation? The best type of insulation largely depends on your local climate and where you plan on installing it. Before starting the project, consult with your HVAC professional, or better yet, enlist the help of a professional to perform the installation.
Get expert advice when upgrading home insulation. In the greater Cleveland area, please contact us at Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Western Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
For those Do it Yourselfers who would rather take control of your own indoor comfort, you can shop our online store for replacement parts, products and accessories!
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