You finally have your dream home under construction. Congratulations! But wait — have you made sure to get the best insulation you can, so you will not face years of high energy bills? What are the best methods of insulating a new home?
Walls
The federal Energy Star program recommends that new homes in the Albuquerque area have these wall insulation features:
- 2″ x 6″ studs to allow for thicker insulation
- R-19 to R-21 wall insulation for 2″ x 6″ studs
- R-5 to R-6 insulated sheathing under the exterior finish
For new construction, a homeowner has many choices in the type of insulation. For sheathing, rigid foam insulation is a good choice. For the interior side of those exterior walls, batt insulation is good.
With walls, a better choice than fiberglass batts is wet sprayed cellulose or blown-in fiberglass. The top of the line choice is Icynene spray foam insulation.
Attics
New construction in Albuquerque gives the homeowner a chance to do insulation right, right from the start. Fiberglass batts are good for attic insulation. Better yet is blown in fiberglass loose-fill insulation, which can fill difficult to see voids and awkward attic spaces.
Yet again, the best insulation choice is Icynene spray foam. It can reach every crevice, depression, and nearly inaccessible surface with thick, expanding foam that provides plenty of air bubbles to slow down heat transfer. Under the Albuquerque sun, your baking home still needs to stay cool inside. Icynene insulation does a superb job achieving this, keeping energy costs low and providing ideal family comfort.
Here and There
In new construction, many systems are being installed simultaneously. Overlooking the small details is easy, but those details matter. For a low one-time installation cost, for example, you can achieve energy efficiency for a lifetime in your new home.
Insist on spray foam around electrical outlets in walls. Specify weather stripping around doors and windows. Ask for energy-efficient windows with double or triple panes to keep your home comfortable without constantly running the central air conditioning.
Other insulation steps you can specify:
- Weather stripping around an attic hatchway
- Insulated exterior doors
- Install storm doors
If uncertain, ask an insulation professional, not your general contractor, for advice. For all your insulation needs, for existing homes and new construction, turn to the trained professionals of Millers today. Contact us and allow us to show you how a one-time investment in insulation will give you years of lower energy bills and increased comfort.
