Building a new house is an exciting endeavor. If you are lucky, you get to customize aspects of your home. A custom-built home gives you a great opportunity to ensure your home is efficient starting with your walls. Before the builder encloses your walls, you should choose insulation that will help you conserve energy so that you can reduce your monthly expenses.

WHY YOUR INSULATION IS IMPORTANT?

Heating and cooling your home is one of your largest expenses. Experts estimate that the average homeowner spends $1,900 each year on utility bills. By choosing the right type of insulation, you can significantly reduce the costs associated with heating and cooling your home, giving you more discretionary income each month.

TYPES OF INSULATION AVAILABLE FOR YOUR NEW HOME

Before you determine which insulation material is best for your home, you should consider all the options you have for insulation. The Department of Energy identifies six types of insulation:

  • Blanket and rolls
  • Concrete block
  • Foam board
  • Insulating concrete forms
  • Loose-fill
  • Reflective systems

Each of these systems offers various benefits. Some insulation materials are best installed while your home’s studs are exposed to keep installation costs low.

INSULATION RATINGS

The effectiveness of insulation is measured by an industry standard known as thermal resistance or R-value for short. R-values determine how fast your insulation will lose heat. When it comes to R-values, you should choose an insulation that has a higher value compared to those that do not have high values. The type of insulation and the thickness of the insulation you choose will also impact the thermal resistance you achieve within your home as well.

Of course, it’s important to note, the higher your R-value, the more you should expect to spend when it comes to your insulation.

Although maximizing energy efficiency is your goal, you don’t have to choose the top-most R-value. Experts recommend homeowners purchase insulation with an R-value of at least 49 in cold climates to ensure their home is snug and not losing energy. Homeowners who are located in warmer areas of the country can choose insulation with lower R-values.

If you are building a home in or around Rosemount, MN, we are happy to advise you on the types of insulation that works best for the area. We have years of experience with home improvement and construction projects, and we want to make sure that you are maximizing your energy conservation efforts. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.