R-value (an expression of heat transfer resistance) is the standard for measuring insulation performance. At R-3.7 to R-3.9 per inch, cellulose insulation is considerably better than most mineral fiber blowing wools, BUT R-factor is only one factor in the energy efficiency of a home. Studies of actual buildings regularly show that cellulose-insulated buildings may use 20-30% less energy than buildings with fiberglass, even if the R-value of the insulation in the walls and ceilings is identical. One reason for this is the capacity of cellulose to stop air infiltration.

 

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There are a variety of insulations to choose from including fiber glass, mineral wool, cellulose, foam and cotton. The two most common types of insulation for residential applications are fiber glass and cellulose. There are several things to consider before making an insulation decision:

While R-value "per inch" is promoted by some manufacturers, the overall R-value installed is what counts. Fiber glass insulation products come in R-values ranging from R-11 to R-38 for fiber glass batts and rolls. Fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulation can be blown in an attic to nearly any R-value. More R-value alternatives provide greater flexibility in meeting code energy requirements in your area.

Lifetime Performance

IIn order to ensure the expected energy savings, it is important that the insulation does not deteriorate, or settle, over time. Fiber glass batts and rolls do not settle, however must remain aerated to be effective. Fiber glass and rock and slag wool loose-fill insulations lose up to 50% of thermal performance over time, and sometimes immediately as attic temperatures drop to 10 degrees! Two independent studies by the University of Illinois and Oak Ridge National Labaratory documented the long standing claim that cellulose insulation outperforms loose-fill fiberglass. (Call for a brochure containing the study information.) Loose-fill cellulose insulation tests by Oak Ridge in a Large Scale Climate Simulator found the cellulose effective R-value actually increased slightly to temperatures as low as –18 degrees. A simple solution to fixing attic fiberglass degradation is to add a substantial cellulose covering.

Air Infiltration

Demonstrations using transparent plastic “walls” show the superiority of cellulose in filling existing walls with many fewer gaps and voids than mineral fiber materials. Modern building science identifies the I-factor (infiltration), equally or more important than R-factor. Matter of fact, air passes through fiberglass so well, most furnaces use a filter made from fiberglass!

The fibers of cellulose insulation are finer and more flexible than mineral fiber blowing wool. When cellulose is pneumatically installed, it takes on almost liquid like properties that let it flow into cavities and around obstructions to completely fill walls and seal every crack and seam. No fiberglass or rock wool material duplicates this action. Liquid-applied foam plastics do, but they cost considerably more than cellulose.

Environmental Benefits

As the environmental consciousness of Americans has been heightened, the building industry has responded. This kind of rethinking has led to a strong push to use building materials with lower environmental impact.

In terms of national policy, the energy you save directly at home isn’t the only important consideration. Our country has emphasized energy conservation to reduce dependence on foreign fuel sources and make America less vulnerable to international “energy blackmail”. If you are concerned about America’s energy independence you need to understand “embodied energy”. Embodied energy is the energy consumed in producing products. Mineral insulation comes from furnaces that gulp natural gas to melt sand, slag or rock. Cellulose insulation is made by processing recycled paper fibers through electrically-driven mills that consume relatively little energy when they are operating, and can be shut down completely with the flip of a switch. Fiberglass insulation has over 10 times more embodied energy than cellulose.

Also cellulose insulation is made from recycled fibers, primarily newspaper, about 85% post-consumer waste, the LARGEST amount of post-consumer recycled content in insulation products. That means you are helping reduce the amount of paper going in to our landfills. Fiberglass is a product that will never decompose in a landfill, unlike newspaper. So if it is ever removed from a structure, or a natural disaster strikes your home, the product that is collected would end up in a landfill.

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Perhaps the most important consideration of all is the installation of the insulation. Regardless of the insulation type, the full R-value can only be achieved with proper installation. Being the first in the area to offer fiberglass insulation, stabilized wall spray cellulose and Spray Polyurethane Foam thermal barrier insulation, Anney’s has always been “out in front” with products and professionalism. Our experience and continual training ensure the quality of your installation. Whether for new construction or retrofitting purposes, properly installing cellulose damp (open cavity) or dry, provides better comfort inside from fluctuating temperatures, better seals in wall cavities, ceilings and hard to reach spaces, better protection from sound infiltration, and superior fire resistant properties. Cellulose is a seamless, monolithic application, meeting or exceeding the highest standards for insulation materials.  

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Since R-values are cumulative, there is no need to remove what you already have. By layering products together, you get the combined R-value of both batts. Where other poor performing insulation exists, cellulose insulation can be added directly over, sealing any gaps or leaks.

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