TAMPA CENTRAL Blog

Understanding R-Value

UNDERSTANDING R-VALUE

In order to understand the importance of R-value for insulation materials, you need to understand why insulation is important for your home in the first place. The primary function of insulation in a building is to regulate temperature and improve climate control. Material installed throughout the structure accomplishes this goal by reducing the rate of heat transfer, which is how heat enters and exits a building. If the insulation in your home has deteriorated, was poorly installed, or damaged, you can begin to experience irregular temperatures and uncomfortable drafts or cold spots.

The resistance value of insulation material is called its R-value. This is the numerical measurement of the insulation's ability to resist heat transfer. A higher R-value typically means that the insulation is better at reducing the movement of heat throughout the home's structure. When the material is damaged or has deteriorated, the R-value is reduced. There are a few easy to notice warning signs that your R-value has deteriorated:

•      One room or a side of the house that is cooler or hotter than the rest of the house
•      Drafts or cold spots
•      Poor indoor air quality
•      Higher energy bills and maintenance fees 

To ensure the comfort and safety of your home, it’s important to be able to recognize these signs and take action as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for many homeowners to simply attribute these conditions to the changing of the seasons, leading them to suffer through discomfort and sometimes even extreme temperatures. Instead of waving off these warnings, having your insulation and air sealing evaluated and replaced soon after experiencing these issues can save you exponentially.

R-VALUE CHANGES BASED ON INSULATION MATERIAL TYPE 

Each insulation material has a different R-value; this is typically based on factors like what kind of insulation is chosen, the type of material, and other variables. In most cases, a higher R-value means the insulation is more effective against heat transfer. Although, while it’s true that fewer materials are used when a material has a higher value, insulation types with lower R-values shouldn’t be immediately written off as a worse product. On the contrary, many insulation materials have additional benefits that could better suit the needs of your home. When making a decision, these factors should be considered alongside the R-value.

For example, closed-cell spray foam has an average of R-6.9 per inch of depth, which is one of the highest R-values when it comes to your insulation choices. This material is most effective when applied to walls, in between your ceiling joists, and even on the roof in some cases. However, this isn’t always the first choice for homeowners and it's not effective in every space your building will need material installed. A better option for the floor of your attic could be blown-in cellulose. While this material only has an average of R-3.4 per inch, it’s treated with boric acid in production. This chemical gives cellulose anti-fungal properties and kills insects that digest the material; the boric acid is used to help deter mold growth and pest infestation in a building.

For more information on the different types of insulation materials and their benefits, check out our article How To Choose Insulation.

EFFECTIVELY IMPROVING R-VALUE

Because of deterioration, the R-value of insulation will reduce over time and the material will become less effective. Although there are some types that may be able to last up to 15 years, there are a number of variables that could increase the rate of deterioration. The most common culprit of poor insulation is moisture exposure from leaks in the roof or foundation of your home. With the help of your local experts, regularly evaluating the material can help you locate deteriorated or damaged insulation before it begins to put your household’s safety and air quality at risk.

Having the insulation and air sealing of your home regularly updated can significantly improve your environment. The industry professionals at Koala Insulation of Tampa Central can help you and your household determine what insulation materials have the best properties for your home’s needs. Our team can locate materials throughout the building that need to be removed and replaced, checking to be sure the area isn’t affected by other problems such as mold, moisture, and pests. Koala Insulation has a thorough process to remove poor material, clean and prepare the space, and then add in new material to restore the appropriate R-value.

YOUR HOME’S UNIQUE R-VALUE NEEDS

Knowing the differences between your insulation choices is important to understand because of your home’s unique environment. The needs of a building are impacted by a number of factors, including your climate zone, building requirements, and even the regular habits of your household. Each area that needs to be insulated also has different needs, which means there isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution for your home. This is why calculating the R-value required by your home isn’t necessarily a simple project. There are regional guidelines and even recommendations from industry leaders like the Department of Energy, but these won't provide the same specialization as an in-depth investigation of your personal environment.

When your home was first being constructed, the initial needs of the area were evaluated by an industry professional, and the space was filled per building code requirements. Industry regulations, regional standards, climate conditions, and national recommendations were all factors taken into account throughout this process. Each room in a house can have different R-value needs, including within the walls and under crawl spaces. This is why having the help of an insulation technician can provide the insight necessary to evaluate the current condition of your home before any projects are conducted. The perspective of an experienced professional can help educate you and your household on the impact of insulation and air sealing on your environment - and it could end up saving you money by preventing mistakes during the insulation installation!

WHAT DO HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSULATION? 

With the help of your local experts at Koala Insulation of Tampa Central, you and your household can take advantage of the benefits provided by updated insulation and air sealing. Our trained and experienced industry professionals offer free evaluations to break down the current condition of your home’s material. This not only allows you to make informed decisions with the guidance of an educated team but you can also use the information to take your current schedule and budget into account. To learn more about how insulation and air sealing can improve your environment, contact your local experts at Koala Insulation of Tampa Central today and schedule your free evaluation.