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| | | Warm air naturally flows toward a cooler space. Insulation resists that flow, slowing the flow of hot air from indoors to outdoors during the cold months, and doing the opposite when temperatures climb outside. Effective insulation can reduce a home's heating and cooling costs. | | |
| Typical costs: | - In order to buy materials or talk to contractors, you need to determine what level of R-value, or thermal resistance, you want to achieve in a given space. The more effective a material is at insulating, the higher its R-value. According to the US Department of Energy, contractor's quotes for installing a specific R-value of insulation in a home can vary by 100 percent or more.
- There are a lot of variables that impact the total cost, but a rough estimate for having a contractor insulate an open attic to modern standards is $0.50 -$2.25 a square foot depending on local climate and the desired R-value of the materials. That's $400 -$1,800 for an 800 square foot space, with a typical attic insulation averaging $750 -$1,100. Do-it-yourself materials for roll-out batting in an open attic can run $100 -$500, depending on R-values, attic size and other factors.
- A rough estimate for hiring someone to blow insulation into a flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavities is $2 -$3.50 a square foot, or $1,000 -$3,500 for filling 1,000 square feet of empty wall or roof space.
- A complete insulation job on a typical family home can run $2,000 -$10,000 or more, but averages $2,500 -$5,500, depending on materials, the regional climate and the local economy.
- Input information about your existing house and the US Department of Energy's ZIP-Code Insulation Program provides a list of specific insulation recommendations and estimated per-square-foot costs.
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| What should be included: | - First, weatherize your home. There's no point in insulating if you haven't already sealed any and all air leaks. The US Department of Energy provides tips for sealing air leaks.
- Adding insulation is recommended when a home has little or no existing insulation, or if attic, floor or wall cavities will be exposed during an extensive remodeling project.
- The US Department of Energy provides an overview of different types of insulation plus a detailed list of where to consider adding insulation in a home. The department also outlines factors to consider in deciding how much insulation might be needed in an existing home or when building a new home.
- The federal government's Energy Star program provides a chart of recommended R-values based on an existing home's construction, heating system and regional location.
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| Discounts: | - Many utility companies offer rebates or other programs to encourage the use of effective insulation; check to see what's available in your area, and which projects might qualify.
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| Shopping for home insulation: | |
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Article updated February 2008 |
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