The amount of insulation recommend in a home varies depending upon a number of factors:
NAIMANorth American Insulation Manufacturers Association, a trade organization representing manufacturers of fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulation products in North America. has developed a map showing thermal recommended levels of insulation for various climate zones. They are based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the 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.). The IECC is the model building code for the United States.
References: 1. DOE/CE-0180 2008, Insulation Fact Sheet.
Note: The map and tables shown are the Department of Energy’s (DOE) R-value recommendations for existing homes and are based on comparing future energy savings to the current cost of installing insulation. Savings vary. Find out why in the seller's fact sheet on R-valuesMeasure of resistance to heat flow. Insulation materials have tiny pockets of trapped air. These pockets resist the transfer of heat through material. The ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat is measured in R-values. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation material's ability to resist the flow of heat through it. The Federal Trade Commission prohibits expressing R-value in terms of inches, because R-value is not a linear measurement. R-values can be added togehter for a total system R-value.. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.
Insulation Identified By R-Value
Insulation is identified and labeled by R-value. “R” stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
Manufacturers of insulation products print the R-values of their products either on bags or on labels attached to plain bags. In most cases, R-values are also printed on the facingsDefinition One: A thin layer of laminate, usually factory applied, on the surface of an insulating material. Definition Two: A protective or decorative (or both) surface applied as the outermost layers of insulation. of battsPre-cut pieces of insulation in standard sizes; batts may have a facing of kraft paper, aluminum foil or poly (plastic) or no facing at all. and rolls. On unfaced insulationInsulation with no attached vapor retarder or facing., the R-value is printed on the product.
