Insulating your homeInsulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer

• About Insulation
• About Duct Insulation
• Incentives, Tax Credits and Rebates

About Insulation

Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are several common types of insulation — fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective insulation (or radiant barrier) is another insulating product which can help save energy in hot, sunny climates.

When correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Insulation performance is measured by R-value — its ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating power. Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces, depending on your area of the country. Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. So it is very important to seal air leaks before installing insulation to ensure that you get the best performance from the insulation.

• See Recommended Levels of Insulation to determine what is most cost-effective for your home.

To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is usually in the attic. A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your uncovered attic floor. If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation. The recommended insulation level for most attics is R-38 (or about 12–15 inches, depending on the insulation type). In the coldest climates, insulating up to R-49 is recommended.

Duct Insulation

A heating or cooling system isn’t doing a proper job unless the air maintains the desired temperature throughout the system’s ductwork and into your rooms. By preventing heated or cooled air loss, duct insulation can create a more comfortable indoor environment, reduce indoor air pollution and help lower your monthly energy use.

Please note that if you’re considering insulating your ducts, it’s a good idea to test first for leakage. Leaky ductwork is a significant energy waster in Oregon homes, and it’s much easier to seal ducts before applying insulation.