Cellulose - A Wise Investment

A number of studies have shown that cellulose insulation verses fiberglass insulation and other types of insulation not only provides super or equal insulating properties, cellulose insulation also offers the best return on your investment. Cellulose insulation is shown to be on average at least 25% more effective than fiberglass batts and as the temperature falls cellulose insulation becomes even more effective.

The Colorado Study (December 1989 - January 1990) conducted by the University of Colorado at the Denver School of Architecture and Planning studied the energy efficiency  of two test building that differed only in the insulation systems that were used. Building "A" was insulated with 5.5 inches of wet-spray cellulose in the walls and R-30 of loose-fill cellulose in the ceiling. Building "B" was insulated with R-19 un-faced fiberglass batts in the walls and R-30 kraft-faced fiberglass batts in the ceiling. Over the two month period a number of different tests and measurements were performed, and this is what the researchers learned:

• In spite of the fact that tests indicated Building "B" was roughly 12% tighter than Building "A" in the un-insulated state, after insulation Building "A" was 36% tighter than Building "B"

• Overnight, midnight to 9a.m., heat loss tests indicated Building "A was 7 degrees warmer than Building "B"

• After three weeks Building "A" used 26.4% less energy than Building "B"

Researchers concluded that Building "A" performed as high as 38% better than Building "B".

Studies performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory showed that cellulose insulation is not subject to the convective effects that degrade the true/actual R-Value of other loose-fill fiber insulation materials at low attic temperatures. Scientists found that effect R-Value of tested mineral fiber insulation dropped from R-18 at +45 degrees F to R-11.1 at -18 degrees F while cellulose insulation actually showed a slight R-Value gain of  about 10%.

Other studies of energy consumed to heat actual homes in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Massachusetts, United Kingdom and Canada have shown that cellulose insulation consistently outperforms fiberglass insulation between 25% - 35%. Even with the extra effort by researchers in Massachusetts to bring a fiberglass insulated building up to the tightness of cellulose insulation, the cellulose insulated building still consumed 32% less energy.

The following table shows the true cost of cellulose insulation verses fiberglass insulation.

The studies show that on average you can reduce your energy costs by 30%.  This works out to be a yearly savings of $1,080 dollars per year based on an average energy expense of $300 per month. Investing this saving over a period of 20 years would accumulate to a value of $37,496.71 (see chart below), adjusting for inflation this value increases to $48,035.01. Not only do you save on your energy expense, you also save due to the properties of cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation reduces or eliminates mould, rot, and mildew and you do not have unwanted pests residing on your property.

In addition to the savings you earn, a home insulated with cellulose insulation adds value to the property. Not only can you ask a higher value, you can demonstrate to prospective buyers the savings/earnings you accumulated with your cellulose insulated property.

WeatherShield™ and WallBar™ Insulation and Friendly Insulators, the choice is Natural!