AEI site | How insulation works

How insulation works

Insulation serves as a thermally resistant barrier which inhibits the migration of thermal energy into and out of the house.
In simple terms: insulation blocks heat from entering the house in the summer and holds heat in during the winter. The results are a cooler house in the summer, warmer home in the winter, and lower energy bills.

Summer - Block Heat

During the summer the sun's powerful rays radiate down onto our homes, the walls heat up and the temperature in the attic can rise to nearly 180 degrees. This heat enters the home and causes things to become quite uncomfortable. You then have two choices….turn on the air conditioning and watch the electric meter spin….or suffer with the heat. By turning on your air conditioning you essentially pump heat out of your home, but often the air conditioning can only keep up with the heat entering the home. Customers often complain of an air conditioning system that runs all day and never cools the house below 80 degrees….this is typical of a poorly insulated home. The solution is to reduce the heat coming into the home to start with. Additional insulation installed in your attic to R-49 will dramatically reduce the amount of heat infiltrating into your home; the house stays cooler, the air conditioning runs less.

Winter - Hold Heat

Insulation works equally well in the winter, it’s amazingly effective when it comes to retaining heat. Just as insulation can block heat from entering the home in the summer, it works in the same way to keep the heat contained within the home during the winter. Homeowners frequently complain of cold homes and furnaces that never turn off….the heat escaping about as fast as the heater can produce heat. Once insulated, heat is retained within the home for hours longer. The result is a warmer home that uses less energy to stay warm. An additional benefit to an insulated home is that the air does not get processed as much through your furnace system, this means the air does not get dried out. Insulation also serves to reduce outside sound from entering the home. People near airports and schools often report dramatically less outside sound infiltrating.

Attic Insulation

Cooler in the Summer AND Warmer in the Winter!!!!
The attic is by far the most critical area of your home to have insulated. Attic insulation works both summer and winter. In summer it blocks heat from entering the home and in winter it blocks heat from rising out. The result is a more comfortable home with lower energy cost year-round. Many homeowners suspect they have sufficient attic insulation already in their homes. You want to have enough insulation such that you have an R49 rating. Cellulose develops and R49 rating with approx. 10-12” of thickness, while fiberglass requires closer to 24-30” to attain the same R49.

Most homes have some old or “existing” attic insulation already in their attic. Typically we just add more material to what you already have in order to bring the attic up to an R49 rating.

Attic insulation is quick & easy; most homes can be completely insulated in only 4-6 hours. We enter the attic through a crawl-hole, typically located in the hallway, closet or garage. The process is quiet, clean, and you don’t need to leave your home. We utilize a dust-reduction system and keep our jobs nice & clean.
Dollar-per-value, attic insulation is unbeatable. Typically paying for itself within one year, it is perhaps the best money you’ll ever spend on your home. It pays for itself and then continues to save you money. Not just an improvement….an investment! Our government recognizes the importance of having proper insulation and sometimes offers Rebates to provide an incentive to homeowners to insulate.