WHY DO WE INSULATE?

1. For Comfort
2. To reduce Energy Consumption
3. To help Control Condensation

What is an R-Value?
R-Value is the resistance to CONDUCTIVE heat flow. Conduction is only 3-7% of total heat loss. Mass Insulations only deal effectively with conduction.

Does R-Value have any effect on Infared Heat?
No most mass type insulations absorb Infared like a sponge and store it like a battery allowing it to escape where we don't want it.

Does R-Value have any effect on Convective Heat Loss?
Some. With recent studies by Oak Ridge National Laboratories they have found that the colder your attic gets the more heat loss you have through convective currents. R-Values were found to be reduced by as much as 50% in the winter.

What about moisture?
Most mass insulations absorbs moisture, especially in the winter when warm moisture convective currents find a cold surface. Once this occurs, the R-Values drop tremendously and in extreme cases the insulations must be removed.