Page 34 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016

The Homeowner’s Handbook SEVENTH EDITION

What makes

INSULATION green?

Hats and Batts
Insulating attic space is relatively
easy and offers immediate
payoff in both the home’s
comfort and reduced energy
bills. Think of attic (or rafter)
insulation as a thermal “hat” for
your home, keeping warm (or
cool) air from escaping out the
top. Also, not every roof needs
venting, although some building
codes require it. New research
shows that unvented attics can
be highly efficient, if designed
and insulated properly.

Double Defense
To maximize the R-value of
walls, consider using a “hybrid”
insulation system, combining
two or more types of insulation.
Think of walls as a “system.”
You might combine foam
board and insulating batts, or
incorporate products such as
EnergyComplete sealant
(www.ocenergycomplete.
com), which is part of a whole-
home insulation and air-sealing
system from Owens Corning,
designed to help increase a
home’s overall comfort and
energy efficiency.

Below-Ground Benefits
Uninsulated foundation walls (and slabs) can result in serious energy losses—
up to 30 percent in extreme climate conditions. Exterior foam insulation is a
good choice in new construction. It not only insulates, but reduces moisture
transfer from outside to inside the home. For retrofiting, foam or fiberglass
batts can be placed on interior walls.