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Green Building and Renovation
"No one person has to do it all but if each one of us follow our heart
and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to create a sustainable future
and a healthy environment."
~ John Denver
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Tips to Warm Your Hearth
October 2007
Green Tips
Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/
- article no longer available online
With fall in the air, it's time to ensure your home is properly insulated. Insulation
prevents heat from leaking out of your home in winter and into your home in summer, making it more comfortable
year-round and reducing your energy consumption, global warming pollution, and heating and air conditioning costs.
The many options on the market today include fiberglass rolls, spray foam, rigid foam, and loose-fill cellulose made
from old newspapers. To determine the best fit for your needs, consider these factors:
R-value. This number represents an insulation's ability to resist heat; the higher the R-value, the
more effective the insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends specific R-values for different
areas of your home, based on where you live and what heating fuel you use (see the related links). If space
is limited, choose the option with the highest R-value for the given thickness you need.
Target spaces. Attics and cathedral ceilings are great places to start to get the most bang for your
insulation bucks. Next in line should be walls, floors, crawl spaces, and basements.
Raw materials. Insulation made from non-petroleum resources, with a high recycled content, requires
less energy to process, reduces waste, and uses fewer natural resources. Bear in mind, however, that the environmental
impact of insulation manufacturing pales in comparison with the long-term reductions in pollution and energy use you
can achieve by choosing any type of insulation that has a higher R-value.
Installation. Foam insulation has traditionally been sprayed onto walls using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) chlorine-based chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. But it is now possible to
apply foam insulation using chlorine-free agents such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), and even water.
If airborne dust or fibers from insulating materials are a concern during insulation, choose products covered in a
protective wrap.
Disposal. In addition to choosing insulation with a high recycled content, consider whether it can be
recycled at the end of its useful life. For example, some types of insulation can be chopped into smaller pieces
and used as loose-fill insulation. If you are hiring a contractor to install new insulation, have the old material
recycled if possible.
The most important factor in your purchasing decision should be the insulation's R-value; use the other criteria to narrow
your options. Choosing the most effective insulator that fits within your budget is the best way to minimize your contribution
to global warming while keeping you warm and cozy.
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