Whether you are planning to buy a house for sale in Cavite, Bacolod or just anywhere in the Philippines, chances are, you will eventually consider green installations. Why not, right? Aside from the savings, you get to enjoy a really comfortable home minus the guilt. Nonetheless, one of the most commonly overlooked areas is insulation.
If you have plans on installing green insulation, here are some practical tips on how to do so.
The majority of the Filipinos think that there are serious financial consequences of going green. Of course, you need to invest on materials, for instance. But the dramatic impacts that green insulation may have in your home and thereby your lives are more than enough return on the initial investment.
Experts say that savings are more pronounced when it comes to greening your home’s insulation. These are:
- Creating a healthier home for you and your loved ones
- Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy savings
- Encouraging low maintenance
- Using high-quality materials
- Embracing more thorough installation approaches
- Making the home soundproof
- Experiencing consistent and even temperatures all year round
That’s why putting a price tag on the real value of having green insulation at home is impossible. In maximizing the benefits though, here are some things that you can do.
1) Conduct an energy audit.
Before doing any insulation installations, perform an energy audit of your home first. The audit can pinpoint exactly which parts of your home’s insulation are inefficient such as leaks. The audit can also determine which areas may still be improved.
2) Check the attic.
Most often than not, the attics are deliberately ignored. We tend to insulate the walls without realizing that attics and crawlspaces are sources of heat gain and loss. So, better check the attic and other discreet areas.
3) Check the doors and windows.
A drafty door or window will negate the overall energy efficiency potential of the installed insulation. Inspect the doors, windows and other components where heat loss may occur. Perform caulking, weather stripping and sealing, if needs be.
4) Build using SIPs.
SIP stands for structural insulated panel. SIPs can be used on walls, floors and ceilings.
5) Compare R-value.
Materials with a higher R-value used in installing insulation are more energy efficient. R-value can be improved through installing a thick layer of insulation materials. Examples of materials with high R-value are cellulose and cotton bat. Cellulose insulation, which is made from 80% recycled materials such as newspaper, contains borate that makes the material pest and fire retardant. Cellulose insulation is also efficient to produce.
6) Avoid fiberglass.
For one, the material releases glass fibers that may cause respiratory illnesses and skin irritation. There are also more serious health consequences such as cancer due to long-term exposure. Fiberglass contains a urea-formaldehyde binder, which is a health hazard. Your fiberglass option is installing formaldehyde-free fiberglass. This insulation material has 15 to 30% recycled glass contents. Specifically, choose the loose-blown fiberglass, so binders won’t be needed.
7) Consider mineral or rock wool.
Mineral and rock wool insulation are made using construction wastes (molten slag), rocks, or both. This insulation not only has a better R-value but also higher density that makes it highly fire resistant. It can also block sound better than any other insulation material such as fiberglass.
Going green is the smartest decision that you could ever make for your home and family’s sake. The good thing about going green is you can take one step at a time. Now, you can start with insulating your walls, attic, floors and ceiling with the options presented above. Then, you can proceed to other areas in your house.
Image credit: Arctecon.com | Insulpro.co.za | Link2Portal.com | NDCEnergy.com
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