Does Your Insulation Have Low Embodied Carbon?

…Fill and Batt Insulations Loose fill and batt insulation contain no petrochemicals and promise to have lower GWP. Common fiberglass has the lowest GWP of traditional insulation materials, but still…

Slab-on Grade Insulation

Slab-on-grade floors are prefered by some builders and are common in certain geographic areas, like the southern states, where slabs help keep a home cool in hot weather. Slabs also…

Super-Insulate the Net Zero Building Envelope

Insulating, along with sealing, all six sides of the net zero building envelope are fundamental steps in the construction of zero energy homes or any energy efficient home. It is…

Three Simple, Low-Cost, High-Performance Wall Assemblies

…and upper levels. Rigid insulation tends to be more expensive than the additional framing and fibrous insulation required in the other systems. Some rigid insulation material, such as extruded polystyrene…

Ice Dams Reveal Heat Loss Issues

…Standard duct insulation is far lower than building insulation. Ducts have R-8, even in certified energy-efficient homes. Compare that with attic insulation that should be at least R-50. To make…

Wall Upgrades for Deep Energy Retrofits

…no insulation at all; millions more have only 4 inches of insulation in 2×4 walls. Air leakage is also a huge problem with 71% of homes with leakage rates above…

Glossary of Zero Energy Terms

Now, a More Climate-Friendly Spray Foam

Decades ago, closed-cell spray foam (ccSPF) insulation applied onsite was a very promising solution for improved building energy efficiency. Then scientists pointed out that the superb energy-saving properties were undermined…

Retrofit for Energy Efficiency

…measure would be to install wall insulation where there is none. Without wall insulation, about 35% of a home’s heat loss occurs through wall cavities. Adding attic insulation is probably…

Defining the Thermal Boundary

…This red line should be the location of the air barrier and insulation layer. If you have to lift the pencil, you’ve found a gap that demands attention. Insulation should…

Energy-Efficient Low-Income Apartments 

…improve air quality and health of residents without losing much heat.   Insulation Made Simple Improving the insulation of older buildings is one of the biggest challenges when it comes…

SIPs for High-Performance Enclosures: Faster, Better, and Greater Value

…insulation, which can increase the risk of moisture control problems. First, added insulation raises wetting potential by increasing the temperature difference between the warm and cold sides of a wall….