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2009

How "Air Infiltration" Affects Fiberglass & Traditional Insulation Tests ("R-Value Myth")

air infiltration testing r value insulation

Debunking the Insulation Myth with the Truth about R Values

Fiberglass batts are the most common type of insulation in existing homes across the Northeast US. Homeowners who are taking the time to investigate alternatives to fiberglass, like spray foam insulation, quickly learn the true meaning of "R value" - the rating given to different types of home insulation.

You have likely heard of the term "R Value", but may not know exactly what it means or how it works. R value refers to an insulation material's ability to resist the transfer of heat or cold.

Insulation's R value applies to each inch of insulation installed. Spray foam insulation sits at the top of the R value chart, with a rating of 6.5 to 8 per inch. In addition to having a higher R value than fiberglass (batts and rolls have a value of 3), it can be applied almost anywhere and seals the smallest cracks and gaps in any home.

It's important tor remember that R value is not the "be all and end all" of insulation, and the rating depends upon so many different factors that many professionals do not solely rely on it when making decisions about building insulation - and neither should you.

Leaks and drafts are known as "air infiltration", and the R value of traditional insulation like fiberglass is greatly diminished when gaps and cracks cause air leaks, rendering the insulation ineffective. Spray foam is the cure!

Making Spray Foam Affordable

Spray foam is clearly the superior choice in terms of R value, but many homeowners find the high cost of full-home insulating daunting and view it as an investment. At Doctor Energy Smart, we believe in making insulation affordable for everyone and offer options to suit any budget. With our thermal energy audit service, we provide imaging of your entire home that shows specific areas where air leaks and escapes, escalating your energy bills. We can target these "problem areas" with solutions like spray foam insulation and radiant foil insulation.

Further R Value Information

This informative article from All Tech Insulation and chart below provide further technical information about the resistance factor of insulation materials.

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6 Comments

#1
njsprayfoaminsulation (Sunday, 01 March 2009 12:02)

One of the fairy tales of our time is the "R-value." The "R-value" is touted to the American consumer to the point where it has taken a "chiseled in stone" status. The saddest part of the fairy tale is the R-value by itself is almost a worthless number.
#2
Jim (Sunday, 01 March 2009 12:17)

I have two layers of R-19 fiberglass in my attic but only one inch of sprayfoam rated at R-7 in my guest house and and the guest house stays warmer. So I'm not buying the R value thing. I'm pretty sure the air escaping through the gaps in my fiberglass is why i lose heat but the sprayfoam has no gaps and the heat stays in. I think I'm going to have my attic sprayfoamed.
#3
njsprayfoaminsulation.com (Tuesday, 03 March 2009 07:21)

R-Values do not take into account the air infiltration that occurs in homes.The myth has sold many dollars worth of pink fiberglass insulation that becomes airborne and circulated to the air people breath in their living areas. Mold accumulates in fiberglass,that also gets circulated- The health benefits of spray foaminsulation,should be another blog in itself.
#4
njsprayfoaminsulation (Saturday, 07 March 2009 17:07)

It may be a while until people understand that the old ideas on insulating their home are badly out-dated. The University of Ohio did a recent study showing 40% of new construction in 2010 (and our guess would be likely higher after that),will be spray foam insulation.
Imagine how a well built home settles and moves.This is the reason air leaks occur,allowing the old fashioned fiber glass to fail, allowing thermal bridging Another reason is by sometimes being hastily installed,moved and removed by cable/phone techs over the years, proves that the myth is (especially over time) worth discussing. Fibre-glass deteriorates, spray foam insulation maintains it's R-Value.
#5
njsprayfoaminsulation (Saturday, 07 March 2009 17:13)

See the (R-Value)formula in DoctorEnergySmart's section here at our site!Remember the value is only as good as the conditions under which readings are taken! If you allow no air movement around the fiberglass insulation, the test is valid. How many homes that are insulated this way,have 0 Zero air movement? The test has been flawed since it's beginnings.....
#6
njsprayfoaminsulation (Saturday, 07 March 2009 18:57)

DoctorEnergySmart.com coming soon Energysmartonline for all your GREEN Home Energy saving products-