“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett.

 

Mr. Buffett may not have been talking about home performance when he uttered this famous quote, but there’s no getting around the fact it applies. R-Value is perhaps the most important thing about home performance and insulation that people don’t know about. Most homeowners or potential homeowners in Central IL know that they’ll benefit from outfitting their homes with great insulation, but when R-Value is mentioned, peoples’ faces often go blank.

 

Learning more about this important element of insulation will help you to build a deeper understanding of home performance and how your home’s insulation directly affects energy efficiency.
 
What is R-Value?
 

Put simply, R-Value is a type of measurement that allows contractors and homeowners to determine the effectiveness of every type of insulation on the market. Specifically, it refers to the capacity of a particular type of insulating material to resist heat flow. When R-Value is low, it is an indication that the material is not well-suited for insulating the home. A high R-Value is given to materials that show exceptional ability to resist heat flow, thus providing the best possible insulation for the buildings they are installed in.

 
R-Value is typically measured and reported as a range of different numbers, which allows you to compare multiple forms of insulation to determine which might be most effective for your home. To put things into perspective, a single inch of fiberglass insulation will show an R-Value of 2.2. An inch of blown cellulose insulation has an R-Value of 3.8, on the other hand, making it the superior option for those who are looking to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Some materials offer an even larger degree of insulating power. Take closed cell spray foam insulation, for example, which has an exceptionally high R-Value.
 
What Does R-Value Mean for You?
 

As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what R-Value means for you and why you might want to stick to the higher end of the scale if possible. Choosing materials with a low R-Value (such as fiberglass) means that your home won’t be as insulated against the outside elements nearly as well as if you were to go with something more effective (closed cell spray foam, for example). With a high R-Value material, you can expect to enjoy lower energy bills, enhanced home comfort and improved indoor air quality.

At Assured, we want each and every customer we serve to get the most out of their home’s insulation. We’ll work with you to determine which material is right for your home and come up with a plan of action that fits your budget. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule an appointment.