Zip Code Program

• The U.S. Department of Energy provides specific insulation information tailored to all parts of the country.america map image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. Department of Energy website has a Zip Code Program which lists the recommended R-Value for insulation for locations throughout the country. Consumers can input information about an existing home or a home that's being built then learn about most effective type of insulation for that property. This program helps individuals evaluate the insulation costs of their particular property. The majority of states have adopted the Department of Energy's Zip Code Program and building energy codes.
  
  

R-Value of Insulation

• Basement insulation may require a different R-Value than the insulation in your walls.Brique Plafond image by Fr??d??ric Massard from Fotolia.com
  
  The R-Value of insulation is a rating that indicates the material's resistance to heat flow. This value depends upon the type of insulating material, its thickness and density. Insulation with a high R-Value has greater resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value number, the more effective the insulation.
  
  

Selecting Insulation Type

• Good attic insulation is crucial to reducing heating bills.attic window image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
  
  Selection of insulation is determined by the R-Value required by building codes, the type of space to be insulated and the forms of insulation available. Different forms can be used together, but dense insulation shouldn't be placed over lower density material because it compresses it, lowering the R-Value. One exception is combining low-density, loose-fill fiberglass insulation with blanket insulation. This combination prevents warm air from circulating between ceilings and an attic, causing heat loss.
  
  

Different Forms of Insulation

• Rigid insulation and air-crete both have high R-Values.Hard working construction worker at a construction scene. image by Andy Dean from Fotolia.com
  
  Cellulose and fiberglass are made into blankets, batts or rolls and blown inside interior walls as loose fibers or pellets. Neither material is ideal for exterior walls in cold climates. Foam insulation of polyisocyanurate, polyurethane and polycynene are blown in to fill small wall cavities. Air-crete is a mixture of sand, cement, lime and other products, which makes a light-weight, strong panel with excellent insulation properties. Rigid Insulation is a board form of fibrous material or plastic foam. It has a high R-Value of 7.2 per inch and can be covered with a reflective barrier foil. This insulation reduces heat flow outward, reflecting it back into the home's interior. It is often used on foundations and to sheath exterior walls.
  
  

Radiant Barrier and Reflective Insulation

• Radiant barriers and reflective insulation can reduce cooling costs in hot climates.sun image by Bube from Fotolia.com
  
  Radiant barriers and reflective insulation reflect heat instead of absorbing it or letting it pass through. Reflective insulation systems and radiant barriers reduce the downward flow of heat and are used in roof rafters, floor joists and wall studs in hotter climates. Reflective insulation systems are made from aluminum foil with a variety of backings, such as paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles or cardboard. Radiant barriers are foil-backed, wood products installed with the foil facing down into the attic.