Add or Upgrade Insulation

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What you need to know

• When insulating for energy efficiency [PDF, 297 Kb], you need to consider the appropriate insulation levels for your area. Insulation values are referred to by the RSI or R-value. The R-value of a given insulation material is an indication of how well it resists the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value, the more it will reduce heat loss or gain. Find the recommended R-value for attic insulation in your area [PDF, 297 Kb].
• The first step to the R-value of your existing insulation is to determine what material it’s made from and to measure its thickness. The various kinds of insulating materials have different R per inch (or RSI/m) values.
• For energy efficiency and comfort, insulate more than the minimum values designated for your area.
• Insulation is designed to resist heat flow in either direction, keeping the house warm in winter and cool in summer. It should be installed between conditioned (heated/cooled) and unconditioned areas of a home.
• Upgrade Your Ventilation while you upgrade your insulation for healthy air and moisture balance.
• If you are upgrading insulation in an existing house, the attic is often the most cost-effective place to insulate. An attic with too little insulation is wasting your energy dollars in both winter and summer.
• For a basement in new construction, you can insulate the interior or exterior of the foundation wall. Rigid insulation on the outside of a basement wall acts as a drainage layer as well, keeping moisture away from your foundations.
• If you are insulating a basement wall in an existing home, you may be limited to insulating only the interior of the wall.
• More people are recognizing the energy savings from insulating their basements. In B.C., it is a Building Code requirement for new homes.
• In an unheated or vented crawlspace, install insulation on the underside of the crawlspace floor. Fiberglass batts or blankets are the easiest material for this type of application. This insulation can be held in place with wire mesh, spring metal supports called "tiger claws", or wire or fishing line criss-crossed between floor joists.
• Band joists are another easy-to-access place to insulate that can result in significant energy savings. If you have a frame construction over your basement or crawlspace, you likely have a band joist. An uninsulated band joist can account for significant heat loss.
• Remember to take advantage of the low cost of adding insulation at the time you replace your roof.
• Check Building Green in the Resources section for more information.

FAQ

Will I have to take down interior walls to effectively upgrade my home insulation?
Not necessarily. Some key heat loss areas in a home heat are the easiest to access and often do not require taking walls down. In particular, insulating unheated crawlspaces and attics does not usually require the removal of walls. Spray insulations are an option for areas where you do have walls you don't want to tear down. They can often be applied without removing the wall and some of them are very effective insulators.

I just invested in an energy-efficient heat pump; do I still need to worry about insulation?
Yes. It does not matter how efficiently you heat and cool your home. If your house leaks to the air outside, you are wasting the energy – and the efficiency – of your heating and cooling system. Read more about how your house works as a system.