Did anyone ever tell you to put a hat on in the winter, because your body heat escapes through your head? Naturally, we bundle up when it gets cold out in order to keep warm. Like a sweater, the insulation in our homes seals heat within to keep a comfortable temperature. But insulation is also like a picnic cooler. During the warmer months, a well insulated home prevents heat from entering and will keep the interior of your home cool. Most homes are not insulated for maximum energy efficiency, especially older ones. So if you live in an older home, your utility bill may be higher than necessary.

Heating and cooling our homes accounts for 50-70% of our energy use in the average home and can cost you a bundle! We all love a comfortable environment, sometimes heating or cooling is an absolute necessity, so a good idea for saving energy is to explore different types of insulation. With better insulation, the temperature of your home is more likely to stay at a constant. While there are many parts of your house where insulation is needed, the most common insulation is for the space between your drywall and the outside façade of the house. And if you really want to reduce your impact, feel free to explore the range of green insulation options available.

There are many types of insulations that can be installed on your own or by a professional service. Such materials include fibrous blankets, blow-in fibers, polyurethane foam, rigid foam or fibrous boards and reflective insulation, such as aluminum foils with a variety of backings.1 While most homeowners are familiar with some of these standard insulators, there are options made from more environmentally friendly materials that can be better for your health as well.

Green insulation has three main rewards for our planet: less natural resources are required, materials are recycled and saved from the landfill, and less energy is used in the manufacturing process. Several of the traditional forms of insulation have been reconfigured to include more recycled material and contain less harmful toxins. Today there are many other competing insulation products available as well.

Cellulose is regarded today as an inexpensive solution, and it is made from recycled paper. Each 50 square foot bag of Cocoon Insulation contains the equivalent of 46 Sunday newspapers!  Another solution uses recycled cotton, denim and other thermal fibers to create a better alternative to fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass contains small particles that can irritate your skin and damage your respiratory system. Products like Ultra-Touch insulation come from denim and cotton fibers that have been deemed safe for your home. For more green insulation products and a list of insulation services, visit the database to find your ideal solution.

When it is time to insulate your home, you might want to consider the long-term benefits of a more expensive product. While the immediate cost may be daunting, it can save you a lot on future utility expenses! Remember that heating and cooling accounts for the majority of our energy use, and while it is important to stay comfortable, better insulation can give you better peace of mind.  


1 "Fact Sheet: Insulation." Department of Energy. 2004.     <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html>.