Estimate Energy Savings Atlanta

Estimate Energy Savings

Summary of How Insulation Works and Estimated Savings on Energy Costs

As described above, the attic, basement and crawl space represent the largest sources of heat transfer in a home. That’s where heat enters the home during summer, and where it leaves the home during winter. The purpose of insulation is to slow and/or stop this heat transfer, so that less heat enters the home during summer and more heat stays in the home during winter.

Heat transfer occurs in two primary forms: hot air and radiant heat. Hot air enters the attic through soffit and ridge vents, and then moves through the attic floor into the conditioned space below (because, as previously explained, hot air seeks out cool air). During the winter, hot air generated in the home with HVAC passes up through the attic and out through the soffit and ridge vents, requiring the HVAC unit to work harder to keep the house warm.

Radiant heat is generated by the sun and literally passes through the roof decking, into the attic and through the attic floor into the house below. In winter, radiant heat can help keep a home warmer, but only if it is contained inside the home. Unfortunately, radiant heat works just like hot air, in the sense that it seeks out cooler spaces. If the home is not properly insulated, radiant heat will find its way into the home during summer and out of the home during winter. Again, to maintain a comfortable temperature, the HVAC unit needs to work longer and harder.

Traditionally, fiberglass insulation (in the form of blown or batt insulation) has been used to slow the transfer of hot air into and out of the home. Fiberglass insulation “slows” heat transfer (both hot air and radiant heat).

Foam goes a step further. With a 3/12″ application, foam blocks 92% of heat transfer. In addition, it acts as an air barrier, blocking the transfer of hot air. In effect, it does a better job of blocking radiant heat than radiant barrier and it does a better job of blocking both radiant heat and hot air than fiberglass. While it is more expensive than either radiant barrier or fiberglass, it is significantly more effective, is a more permanent solution and provides flexibility in terms of creating usable space in the attic.

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