• What is Insulation and how does it work?
• Why is Cellulose Insulation Better?
• Can Cellulose Insulation help reduce building air-leakage?
• Why should a home builder choose cellulose?
• Why should consumers ask for cellulose?
• How can I tell if I really got the advertised "R"-factor?

Q: What is Insulation and how does it work?

A: Insulation is a term describing any material that reduces -- resists -- heat flow by conduction. Conduction is a physical property of all materials and along with "radiation" and "convection" describes one of three principal mechanisms of heat transfer.

The conductance of a material is the rate of heat flow that is induced by temperature differences between one side of a specific thickness of the material and the other. A material's conductance results in the thermal transmittance -- U-value -- of a specific assembly of materials -- such a wall -- that have thickness and density, and conduct heat over specific periods of time. The "R-factor" of a material is the inverse of its U-value. These factors help engineers, architects and code officials calculate energy efficiency of buildings.

Q: Why is Cellulose Insulation Better?

A: There are several key reasons cellulose insulation is a superior product for buildings:

• Higher R-per-inch values than most comparable mineral fiber materials;
• reduces air-leakage;
• Not as subject to convective heat loss;
• Lower cost relative to competing products of similar thermal efficiency;
• Fire safe;
• made from over 75% recycled material -- environmentally friendly;
• approved by all major code bodies;
• And, well tested and field proven.
Q: Is Cellulose Insulation fire-safe?

A: Cellulose insulation is arguably the safest organic building material since it is always treated with persistent fire retardants. The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission does not believe cellulose insulation is a hazardous product.

Fire statistics do not support the claim that cellulose insulation is a hazardous product. The vast majority of fire and insulation experts agree that proper installation of insulation, not the specific material used, determines the safety of the insulation system in any building.

Q: Can Cellulose Insulation help reduce building air-leakage?

A: Cellulose insulation has been shown to reduce air-leakage through wall and ceilings of buildings. Colorado University found cellulose at least 36 percent better than fiber glass in tightening buildings, which resulted in a 26%+ overall improvement in energy efficiency.
Considerable research at the US DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory shows cellulose insulation is not as subject to convective heat loss. Convection through insulation has been shown to reduce the actual R-values of comparable mineral fiber materials from 20 to 40 percent, in cold weather. (ORNL measured actual values as low as R-12 at nine degrees F for an "R-19" fiber glass installation. However, Oak Ridge found no R-value erosion with cellulose.)

Q: Why should a home builder choose cellulose?

A: Cellulose insulation is cost effective, adds to housing affordability, meets codes, is easy to install, and helps differentiate your business as an environmentally friendly member of the development industry.
If you are meeting the Model Energy Code, or participating in a major National efficiency program -- such as EPA Energy STAR homes, E-Seal (EEI), or NAHB endorsed manufacturer originated programs -- then you will find when it is time to get your program homes tested, air-leakage is reduced and indoor air quality is maintained by this superior product.

Q: Why should consumers ask for cellulose?

A: Research and cost analysis shows that cellulose insulation performs better and costs less than competing forms. Homes with cellulose insulation are comfortable, healthy and fire-safe. In addition since it is an environmentally friendly product -- consisting of recycled materials -- consumer know they are helping the planet.

Q: How can I tell if I really got the advertised "R"-factor?

A: Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission R-factor rule, every insulation installer now routinely provides a fact sheet documenting the insulation value of the products put into buildings in the United States. But in the real world consumers still need to be careful about the "advertised" R-factors and the realities of installed performance of insulation in the real world. Independent university researchers have documented actual performance of cellulose insulation in real buildings can exceed energy efficiency of mineral fiber insulated walls by nearly 40%, resulting in over a 26% reduction in whole building energy use.

The conclusion: consumers beware -- not all insulation is created equal.