Eco-Friendly Green Insulation

Eco-Friendly

Energy Saving Green Insulation

Any good insulation could be considered "green" simply by the fact that it's purpose is to save energy. However, green insulation refers to products that are eco-friendly and are either made from recycled material or materials that are natural and do not contain harmful substances.

Green Home Improvements

Choose Green Insulation

Choosing green insulation is not only important for the environment, it is very important for the health of your family. What you may not know is that standard commercially-available insulation are full of chemicals and other health hazards that you don't want in the air that you breathe everyday. It is commonly believed that standard insulation that is common in most people's homes can contribute to cancer, asthma as well as many other health problems.

The most common insulation in America is pink fiberglass because it is the cheapest insulation on the market. The problem with fiberglass insulation is that it is very similar in structure to asbestos and is made up of tiny little fibers that can break off into the air and can lodge in your skin, eyes and lungs. Because of this, it is worth investing in eco-friendly green insulation.

There are many green insulation choices available including recycled paper (cellulose), recycled denim (cotton), hemp, wool, aerogel and spray foams. They all offer different ways to make your home more energy efficient and save you money on your heating and cooling bills. The general agreement is that spray foams are the best insulation option available and can reduce your energy needs for heating and cooling more than any other option. However, there are many green options available and the choice is yours. Below you can find details about each type of green insulation to get a better understanding how each options works.

Spray Foams: Insulation

Recycled Denim Insulation Unlike other green insulation options, spray foams are not a completely green product, however no other insulating material offers more energy savings, more efficiently than spray foams. Keeping that in mind, it can be considered the greenest insulation material on the market, with the added benefit of providing the most significant energy savings.

Spray foam insulation is sprayed into place and expands almost immediately after it is applied, filling in every crack, crevice and gap that other insulation options would miss. Once it expands, the spray foam creates a thick blanket of insulation that seals air leaks stopping any potential drafts, as well as creating a moisture barrier and sound barrier that helps to muffle outside noises.

Spray foam insulation works so well because it traps tiny air bubbles during the foaming process and as the foam cures, the air bubbles remain in place. Unlike other insulation options, spray foam creates a water barrier that does not absorb water and allows any water vapor to escape preventing mold from forming. Another benefit of spray foam over other options is that it does not settle or sag, always staying in place. Once it sets, it is completely solid and produces no dust, while also creating a barrier that does not allow dust or pollutants to pass through to your home. This improves the indoor air quality of your home and the energy savings it creates can reduce your energy bill by 30 to 50 percent, which allows for it to pay for itself in just three to four years.

The most eco-friendly choice of spray foam is Icynene which is water-based and does not use formaldehyde. It is safe for both your family and the environment and it is recommended for use in homes for people who are concerned about the environment. Icynene is water blown and produces no off-gasses or harmful emissions during the installation process. It also does not contain any ozone destroying or global warming refrigerants. However, Icynene has a couple of drawbacks, the first being that it costs about three times the cost of fiberglass. The second being that since it seals so well, you may need to install a ventilation system in your home. But if you consider all of it energy saving benefits, it is definitely the best option for insulating your home and it’s energy savings make it the greenest option available.

Cellulose: Recycled Paper

Cellulose is made from recycled paper, it is basically bits of newspaper shredded up and sprayed into place. Cellulose insulation is easy to install and is a cheap and effective insulation. The downside of cellulose is that it is highly flammable, pests like mice love it and it can be easily damaged by water, which will create mold.

However, there are new cellulose products on the market like GreenFiber which is made from 85% recycled paper fiber and is resistant to moisture, helps to reduce noise and offers permanent and proven fire resistance for the life of the structure. It also comes with a guarantee for the life of your home.