Insulation is hardly seen and rarely does one think much about it. Though overlooked, insulation is essential to a comfortable and energy efficient home. One of the most common items we see at Above All Else Inspections is that insulation is missing, disturbed, or inadequate. As an inspector, it is important for me to know the R value of various insulating materials.
R-value is a measurement of thermal resistance. It measures the ability of heat to transfer from one side of an object to another. In the 1st picture this attic has approximately 6 inches of fiberglass insulation. An inch of blown fiberglass insulation has an R-value of 3.1 – 3.4. Thus, this attic insulation has an R value of 18.6 – 20.4. For this geographical location of Northwest Arkansas the recommended R rating for insulation in an attic is R-38. The owner of this home can expect higher than normal energy bills year round. The 2nd photo shows much deeper insulation. It will provide better comfort and be easier on the pocket book.
One Response
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