Insulation Installation 101

Heating and Insulation Installation 101

Early Structures

Most homes built in the early days of North American settlement were simple log structures, made of the thickest logs one could find or afford. Doors and windows were rudimentary and ill-fitting. Logs would expand and contract according to the temperature, so the material between the logs, chinking, moved, and needed to be repaired constantly.

The insulation value of the building material was essentially the thickness of the log and the attention paid to repairing the chinking. A blazing fire was the best shield against the bitter cold.

When sufficient power was available, the logs were milled into boards and stick framing became popular. Doors and windows improved but were still letting in a lot of breezes. Wood frame houses made housing more affordable, not necessarily more comfortable.

The gap between the outer shell and the finished inside walls was still empty; the air is a poor insulator and vapor barrier. Upper stories in most buildings were uncomfortably hot in the summer months and lower stories could only be warmed during the winter with multiple fireplaces.

Energy Attention

As the population increased and technology developed, buildings—especially residences—were designed with features that kept conditioned air inside longer.

Homes with multiple fireplaces, burning lots of wood each winter, were no longer practical. The price of fuel oil, coal, and natural gas drove the development of insulation.

Insulation is the term for a barrier to the transfer of energy. Sometimes the barrier is solid and sometimes the barrier is a material that traps air and uses the trapped air to resist the transfer of energy in the form of heat. A common term used in rating insulation value is R-Value; the “R” stands for resistance.

The higher the number, the better the product is in resisting the transfer of heat energy. Every material used in the construction of your home has an R-Value, but it is most commonly observed on wall and attic insulation.

Common Insulators

Below are the three most common insulation materials used in new residential construction, listed in ascending R-Value ratings:

What Can I Do?

There are four surfaces that you can commonly address and the most convenient time to address them. Installing more insulation or better insulation at opportune times will save on your energy bill.

Wondering if heating or cooling your home is energy efficient? Call Air Pro Houston for your energy audit today and to schedule Insulation Installation!

Questions About Insulation Installation?

Our four decades of experience as an HVAC System maintenance contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist in Insulation Installation.

We have several financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your HVAC repair and installation needs.

Insulation Installation

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Air Quality & Insulation in the North and West Houston, TX Area