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About Insulation
Insulating a house is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your energy consumption and thus your environmental footprint. When choosing an eco-friendly insulation keep in mind that while some insulations are made out of recycled materials such as glass bottles or old newspaper, others are made with chemicals that deplete stratospheric ozone.
Notes on Insulation**
R-Value: The higher the R-value the greater insulation value, R-values of adjacent materials can be added to determine a final R-value of the entire construction assembly (e.g. siding + insulation + wallboard = total R-value)
| Cellulose |
Cotton |
Fiberglass |
Foam-In-Place
Polyurethane |
Mineral Wool |
Perlite |
Sheep's Wool |
Cellulose Insulation
CSI Division: 072126 | Residential Category: Blown Insulation
Made of newspaper, borates and ammonium sulfate, Cellulose insulation can be bound as a wet spray and installed by a professional in open wall cavities resulting is entire walls that are effectively sealed. Wet-blown insulation offers excellent performance, however, moisture control is a critical factor, as overly moist insulation requires a longer drying period before a wall can be closed up.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Has an R-Value of 3 - 3.7
- Should contain a minimum of 75% post consumer recycled content.
- Cellulose has the lowest embodied energy of any insulation product because it can contain upward of 90% post-consumer recycled newspaper.
Negative Environmental Considerations
- Although the manufacturing process of cellulose insulation does not cause significant pollution problems, the fibers and chemicals used in cellulose insulation can be irritants.
- Fire retardant chemical additives such as ammonium, sulfate, boric acid and sodium borate are used in cellulose insulation. Low-VOC and should be certified by GreenGuard or meet similar requirements by highlighting the low emissions of formaldehyde and other pollutants in their products.
- Small amounts of formaldehyde may be emitted from printer inks in recycled newspaper. To combate this, people with acute chemical sensitivity should purchase cellulose insulation made from non-inked paper.
- Concerns with loose-fill fiber insulation are settling, displacement as a result of wind, and infestations of rodents.
Cotton Insulation
CSI Division: 072116 | Residential Category: Blanket Insulation
Cotton insulation is made of all natural fibers. Predominatly cotton insulation comes from post-industrial recycled cotton textiles, such as denim.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Has an R-Value of 3 – 3.7
- Should contain a minimum of 25% recycled content.
- Cotton insulation is formaldehyde free and contains no carcinogenic respiratory irritations.
- Cotton insulation can be recycled.
- Cotton insulation has superior acoustical properties.
- Requires very little energy to manufacture.
Fiberglass Insulation
CSI Division: 072116 | Residential Category: Blanket Insulation
he manufacturing process for fiberglass batts is energy intensive although less than for rigid products. Where recycled content is higher, energy impacts related to manufacture of fiberglass insulation are further reduced.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Fiberglass insulation made with recycled glass is widely available. Should contain a minimum of 20% total glass cullet and minimum 50% total recycled content..
- Fiberglass insulation should be certified from environmental groups like GreenGuard or meet similar requirements by highlighting the low emissions of formaldehyde and other pollutants in their products.
- Has an R-Value of 3.2
Negative Environmental Considerations
- Most fiberglass products use toxic phenol formaldehyde as a binder which should be avoided because the formaldehyde out-gasses slowly for months or years after installation, contributing to indoor air quality problems. Fiberglass insulation should contain formaldehyde-free binders or no binders at all in order to be considered a green product.
Foam-In-Place Polyurethane
CSI Division: 072119 | Residential Category: Foam Insulation
Low-density Foam-in-place Polyurethane or polyicynene is quick to install and does not emit harmful off-gasses.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Foam-In-Place Polyurethane may cut yearly energy costs by 35%.
- Has an R-Value of 3.6 - 5.0
- There are several alternatives to those made with ozone-depleting CFCs
Negative Environmental Considerations
- Some Foam-In-Place Polyurethane contains ozone-depleating CFCs
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber is one of the most common types of low-slope roofing material in the US.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Expanded Perlite exhibits very low thermal conductivity, low sound transmission high fire resistance, large surface area and low moisture retention.
- Has an R-Value of 2.5 - 3.3
Negative Environmental Considerations
- Although the manufacturing process of perlite insulation does not cause significant pollution problems, the dust created by the insulation can be an irritant.
Mineral Wool
CSI Division: 072116 | Residential Category: Blanket Insulation
"Mineral wool" actually refers to two different materials: slag wool and rock wool. Slag wool is an industrial waste product produced from iron ore blast furnace slag. Rock wool is produced from natural rocks of basalt and diabase. It offers very good energy performance, will not burn, and is chemically inert.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Has an R-value of approximately 3.1 - 3.7
- Since it is made from waste materials, the use of Mineral wool diverts waste from landfills.
- Mineral Wool is recyclable.
- Mineral Wool is durable, fireproof and naturally resistant to rot.
Negative Environmental Considerations
- If this material becomes wet it will provide a structure for bacterial growth.
- Mineral wool can emit toxic fumes when burnt.
- Mineral wool is not biodegradable.
- Mineral wool can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and throat and so a dust mask, goggles or glasses should be used during installation for protection.
Sheep's Wool
CSI Division: 072116 | Residential Category: Blanket Insulation
Sheep's wool has superb insulating qualities, is safe and easy to install.
What Makes It A Green Product
- Sheep's wool is a natural material, is fully biodegradeable and recyclable.
- Sheep's wool uses very little energy in its production into insulation batts (pads)
- Sheep's wool is naturally resistant to insects and decay.
- Sheep's wool is sound absorbant, inherently moisture tolerant (without losing thermal efficiency) and also has the ability to soak-up and neutralise harmful toxins such as nitrogen oxide.
- Has an R-value of approximately 2 - 3.5
Negative Environmental Considerations
- Sheep's wool must be protected from water leakage.
- If the borate treatment fails, the material will lose its fire and mold resistance.
- Sheep's wool can be attacked by moths if untreated.
- If shipped from long distances, transportation coudl drastically increase the life-cycle cost of using sheep's wool as an insulator.
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