Proper Levels of Insulation Contribute to Public Health

 

Properly insulated new homes would save 300 billion BTUs per year.² This equals 28 supertankers of crude oil and 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

 

According to the Harvard University School of Public Health, the proper levels of thermal insulation1: Insulation applicable within the general temperature range of 300 F to 1800 F. 2: A material or assembly of materials used to provide resistance to heat flow. contribute dramatically to improved public health.

The University conducted a series of studies on the benefits of thermal insulation and found significant public health benefits from increasing insulation in new and existing homes. The study examined the potential health benefits that could be expected from increasing residentialPertaining to a home or homes where people reside on a permanent basis. insulation from current practice to the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECCInternational Energy Conservation Code is the predominant model energy code in the US and the  basis used for most state and local energy codes.) levels.

The studies showed that upgrading insulation levels would result in significant reductions in energy usage and emissions, which, in turn, result in fewer deaths, and reduced instances of respiratory and cardiovascular ailments typically associated with air pollution.

The researchers note in one study that, "the magnitude of the economic and public health benefits indicates that creative public policies to encourage retrofitsThe application of additional insulation over existing insulation, new insulation if old insulation has been removed, or new insulation over existing, previously uninsulated surfaces. ... may be warranted."

Harvard University School of Public Health Study Highlights

The Existing Homes Study¹ showed if the 46 million existing single-family homes in the United States that have inadequate insulation were retrofitted with additional insulation to meet the 2000 IECC, the annual benefits would include:

• 240 fewer premature deaths
• 6,500 fewer asthma attacks
• 110,000 fewer restricted activity days per year

This translates into a potential savings of $1.3 billion per year in averted costs such as health care, and $5.9 billion per year in additional savings associated with reduced energy consumption, paying back the initial cost of the insulation in about six years.

Annual energy savings of more than 800 Trillion Btu (TBtu), which would result in lower emissions

• 3,100 fewer tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
• 100,000 fewer tons of NO_X
• 190,000 fewer tons of SO₂

The New Homes Study² looked at increasing insulation in the 1.2 million new homes built in the US each year to the 2000 IECC would, over 10 years:

• Save 300 billion BTUs each year - This equals 28 supertankers of crude oil and 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
• Save 60 lives.
• Protect people from 2,000 more asthma attacks and provide 30,000 fewer restricted activity days
• 1,000 fewer tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
• 30,000 fewer tons of NO_x
• 40,000 fewer tons of SO₂

• The Public Health Benefits of Insulation Retrofits in Existing Housing in the United States (RP061)
• Harvard Demonstrates Public Health Benefits of Increased Insulation (NAIMA036)
• Integrating Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Economics in a Risk-Based Life-Cycle Analysis: A Case Study of Residential Insulation (RP066)