Eau Claire Insulation LLC
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How much insulation you will need is based on Resistance-value or R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation is at stopping the transfer of heat. The amount of insulation should be determined by it's R-value, not by any amount of inches.
Another factor of how much insulation you will need depends on the area that you are insulating and your local state energy office requirements. This table, from the Department of Energy, are suggested values depending on your living climate and type of heating system used in your home.
Insulation requirements will vary by state, please check your local state energy office for specific requirements in your area.
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Cost-effective Insulation R-Values for Existing Homesa
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| If you live in a climate that is... |
and your heating system is…b |
insulate to these levels in the… |
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ceiling |
wood-frame wall |
floor |
basement/ crawl space wallsd |
| Warm with cooling and minimal heating requirements (i.e., FL & HI; coastal CA; southeast TX; southern LA, AR, MS, AL & GA). |
gas/oil or heat pump |
R-22 to R-38 |
R-11 to R-13 |
R-11 to R-13 |
R-11 to R-19 |
| Mixed with moderate heating and cooling requirements (i.e., VA, WV, KY, MO, NE, OK, OR, WA & ID; southern IN, KS, NM & AZ; northern LA, AR, MS, AL & GA; inland CA & western NV). |
gas/oil or heat pump |
R-38 |
R-11 to R-22c |
R-13 TO R-25 |
R-11 to R-19 |
| Cold (i.e., PA, NY, New England, northern Midwest, Great Lakes area, mountainous area (e.g., CO, WV, UT, WI etc.)). |
gas/oil |
R-38 to R-49 |
R-11 to R-22c |
R-25 |
R-11 to R-19 |
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heat pump or electric resistance |
R-49 |
R-11 to R-28c |
R-25 |
R-13 to R-19 |
| a. Adapted from the U.S. Department of Energy 1997 Insulation Fact Sheet. |
| b. Insulation is also effective at reducing cooling bills. These levels assume your house has electric air-conditioning. |
| c. R-values may be achieved through a combination of cavity insulation and rigid board insulation and are for insulation only (not whole wall). |
d. Do not insulate crawl space walls if crawl space is wet or ventilated with outdoor air.
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*** Energy codes vary by state. You should contact your local state energy office for specific energy code requirements in your area.***
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