R-Value: Understanding the Rating System for Insulation

Does your home have sufficient insulation inside of it to keep things cool in the summer and warm in the winter? The R-value of your insulation, which is the rating system that is used when it comes to insulation, will determine whether or not it keeps your home comfortable at all times. By gaining a basic understanding of R-value, you can pick out the right kind of insulation for your home and stop wasting energy by forcing your HVAC system to work harder to heat and cool your property.

R-ValueThere are a variety of external factors that can affect the R-value of your insulation, including factors like wind and humidity, but in general, R-value is “a measure of the resistance of heat flow through a given thickness of material,” according to the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association. The higher the R-value of your insulation, the better job it will do when it comes to insulating your home.

Of course, you need to ensure that the insulation is installed properly and that all of your other building materials are installed the right way and up to code for the insulation to do its job. Selecting appropriate insulation and working with a trusted company to add or update the insulation in your home will improve your overall R-value and allow you to enjoy the benefits – both in comfort and cost savings – that come along with having superior insulation.

At Rick’s Energy Solutions, we can provide you with a green home energy analysis and show you how well your insulation is – or, in some cases, isn’t – insulating your home from the outdoor environment. By improving your insulation, you may be able to downsize your HVAC unit and allow it to work more efficiently or have to use your heating and cooling system a whole lot less. Our thorough green home analysis will show you exactly where you can make improvements, and will offer you suggestions on what you can do to upgrade your home to make it more comfortable and efficient year-round.

Call Rick’s Energy Solutions at 707-578-5380 today to find out how we can help you make your home more energy efficient.