Home Insulation Boosts Comfort, Adds Value and Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Alexandria, VA — April 21, 2017 — As the nation prepares to mark the 47th year of Earth Day observance tomorrow, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) reminds consumers that properly insulating their homes is one of the simplest things they can do to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.
“Nine out of 10 U.S. homes are under insulated, which means that homeowners may have less comfortable homes, more costly heating and cooling bills and may be wasting energy,” said NAIMA President and CEO Curt Rich. “Increasing attic insulation in your home can reduce energy usage by as much as 30 percent[1], increase home comfort and boost the value of your home at re-sale.”
According to the 2017 Cost v. Value Report, adding fiberglass insulation to a home’s attic has an estimated average cost of $1,343 nationwide and is projected to add $1,446 in value to a home one year after completion of the upgrade.
Moreover, a study from Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) finds that increasing insulation levels in existing U.S. single-family homes to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) level would, in total across the United States, cut electricity consumption by 37 billion kilowatt hours. This reduction is equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 3.4 million U.S. homes. In addition, increased insulation would slash residential natural gas consumption (9 percent), reduce propane use (10 percent) and fuel oil consumption (12 percent).
The decrease in energy consumption means fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
“Earth Day is a great opportunity to remind consumers and building owners that a well-insulated building will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more comfortable space that is less expensive for the occupants,” said Rich. “Everyone can do something to help protect the planet and ensuring your home is well-insulated is an action that’s beneficial to homeowners as well.”
[1] Savings may vary. Find out why in the seller’s fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.
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About NAIMA
NAIMA is the association for North American manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. Its role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation, and to encourage the safe production and use of these materials. Our website is insulationinstitute.org.
