Insulation: Facts consumers shou Last winter's plummeting temperatures and soarnng fuel Costs have convinced an Increasing number of sumers to improve homes insulation Yet despite all the recent con their talk about insulauon, few Consumers know — cxractly what insulahon really is what it does or even how or where to buy «t The following informaton has been prepared by Fiber Blas Canada to help answer these other questions asked residential insulation and ats Contr bution to and frequently about CHVIPcen Mental comfom and energy CODEC Vat On Qi What does tasulacion do? How does tt work? Ai The baste function of an Sulation os te resist the flaw of heat loss oan the cold winter months and heat gain in (he summer au condi Moning scason The greater the difference between inside and outside temperatures the greater the heat flow through the wall of your house If forex ample the inside temperature iw 21° 170° 4 and the outside temperature wm TR8C (OP F 4 the anside surface of an aninsulated wall is approximately pS°C iSY°b oF Understandably the living arca within | metre 1 feet) of that wall feeds chilly and uncomfortable In fact Wothere isa temperature cf ference of as litth as 4b 1°C (O°F 3 frown draft between parts of a yvourare Likely to feela ctfectisely flow that all living space within a Insulation slows heat ANSSUTT EA home as usable draft free that temperatures re main untlormly comfortabic Q: What kind of insalating matertal is used most tre- quently in residential con- struction? A: While there are several kinds of unfaced avanable to homcowners in and insulation organic fibre glass materials because of their inherent fibre retardant character tAtbeOS coastistent quality case of apphe ation and durability are the nest widely used One word of caullon caperts advise homeowners agaist cutting comers by crumpling old newspapers or frags BS substitutes for commerctally manufacturcred Sars h fire threat products maternally can pose oa and attract ver min h & West Vancouver Q: What “form” of insulation is most efffective? A: Insulation is available m cither a loose chopped up or ina batt or blanket Both when properly installed, are form configuration forms, about equal in thear ability to stop the flow of heat) But the key is proper insulation Loose insulation must) be cher poured of “blown” in to place with special pire umadrsa equipment a process which can result in uneven coverage and hence mnconsistent performance As a result tas essential that only properly qualified in sulation Contractors do the work Blanket Configuration howevce has been pre fabricated by the manu ac turer pate consistent thre koess and densities and therefore offers greater C19 - Sunday News, December 21, 1980 assurance of installed perfor mance Q: How is insulation pertor- mance measured? A: The insulation industry measures the performance or “thermal resistance value” of its products in terms of “R's” The higher the “R”™ or thermal] resistance valuc, the more the insulation will resist heat flow Q: What “RR” vabucs§ are recommended for residential building insulation? Ai For many years. 6 in of insulation () 5S (R20) )1n ceil Ings and atts (22 (RIE) on regarded as “full insulation” Recently and 3a in walls was howeves as energy casts began ter rise dramatically and shortages became a reality the need for greater amounts of ther mal insulation became ap d know parent to both government and industry experts Recent studics based on energy costs and chmate = facto show that homes would economically benefit. from much higher tnasulation levels The Canadian Elec. trical Association has recently pubhkshed recom mendations calling for (7 0 (R40)) tn ceilings, (35 (R20)) ain sidewalls (2 1 (R12)) an basement walts and (49 (R28)) ain) floors over unheated arcas The recommendations tepresent Minimum accep table levels flor todays homes Qi Where should insulation be installed? Ar Walls. floors and ccihings that should be adyor no ounheated arcas insulated to pro CONTINUED ON PAGE ©22 Opening New Doors on the North Shore