2. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. 1 Insulation

3. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.2 Questions… What is insulation? What does it do? What are the types of insulation? How do you install insulation?

4. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.3 Insulation Defined It is a material used to prevent or reduce the loss of energy from a surface.

5. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.4 Why insulate? Expense from the use of energy for heating and cooling accounts for overall home budgets of 50- 70%. If you can control the loss of both, through insulation, you can cut your expenses.

6. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.5 How is Insulation Installed? Blown in- Loose-fill insulation includes loose fibers or fiber pellets that are blown into building cavities or attics using special pneumatic equipment.

7. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.6 How is Insulation Installed? Blankets or Batts- These are unrolled and they are available in widths suited to standard spacings of wall studs and attic or floor joists.

8. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.7 How is Insulation Installed? Foamed In Polyurethane foam insulation can be applied by a professional applicator using special equipment to meter, mix, and spray into place. Polyurethane foam can also help to reduce air leaks.

9. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.8 How is Insulation Installed? Reflective Fabricated from aluminum foils with a variety of backings such as kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard Rigid Made from fibrous materials or plastic foams and is pressed or extruded into board-like forms and molded pipe- coverings.

10. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.9 Self-Installation Whichever type of insulation you choose, will probably depend on the type of house you have. You may have to hire a contractor, rather than doing it yourself, if it is difficult. Examine your needs and select the correct R-rating for your home.

11. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.10 R Value Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R- value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness, and density.