How To Choose Green Home Insulation

Today, there is no denying the impact that modern society is having on the environment. The propensity for an energy intensive lifestyle is reaping damage on a planetary scale. If you are genuinely concerned about your household's energy usage, and are looking for affordable ways of creating a smaller carbon footprint, it can be of value to explore how you can better insulate your home with green material.
Most people are aware that home insulation is inherently green as it helps to save energy. Through minimizing heat transfer, there is less of a need to use heaters and AC units, thus reducing energy consumption. The problem with most materials used to insulate a home is that they can be potentially toxic and are very difficult to dispose of. Green home insulation involves the use of materials that are either non-toxic, made from natural sources, or recycled. There are a number of interesting and practical alternatives to regular insulation products.

Recycled denim may not immediately spring to mind when thinking about insulating your walls and attic space but it is a material that is used for this very purpose. Old jeans are not required, the material is actually scraps left over from the manufacturing process. It is a great way to find a use for what would otherwise have been discarded.

Wool is another option that is both renewable and natural. In fact. Wool has been used since time immemorial to insulate buildings. Though it is flame retardant, it can be prone to insect infestation. To help prevent this problem, wool should be treated with a substance that acts as a deterrent to insects.
Another interesting material that can be used is cellulose, and primarily in the form of recycled newspaper. Cellulose is a great option as it is available widely, is affordable, and has excellent insulating properties. If you are to use recycled newspaper, make sure that the material has been treated in such a way to make it fireproof.

When comparing green insulation materials, it is important to study the R-value of each option. This is a measurement of resistance to heat flow. Most material is rated from R-1 up to R-60, with the higher values being the most efficient. The R-value of fiberglass, wool, and cellulose are actually quite similar. If choosing a material with a low value, there would be a need to have a greater depth to achieve the desired results.

Reference: Paul_J_James