DOE/CE-0180
2008

Department of Energy
Assistant Secretary
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Contents:

Introduction

  • Why Insulate Your House?
  • How Insulation Works

Which Kind of Insulation is Best?

  • What Is an R-Value?
  • Reading the Label
  • Insulation Product Types

Insulating a New House

  • Where and How Much
  • Air Sealing
  • Moisture Control and Ventilation
  • Installation Issues
    • Precautions
    • Attics
    • Walls
  • Design Options
    • Crawlspaces and Slabs
    • Advanced Wall Framing
    • Metal Framing
    • Insulating Concrete Forms
    • Massive Walls
    • Structural Insulated Panels
    • External Insulation Finish System
    • Attic Ventilation or a Cathedralized Attic

Adding Insulation to an Existing House

  • Where and How Much
  • How Much Insulation Do I Already Have?
  • Air Sealing
  • Moisture Control and Ventilation
  • Insulation Installation, the Retrofit Challenge
    • Precautions
    • Attics
    • Walls
    • Basement Walls
    • Floors and Crawl Spaces

Resources and Links

About This Fact Sheet

R-Value Recommendations

Figure 1 shows which building spaces should be insulated. Use the form below to get recommendations for your situation. If you need to determine the ZIP code for a city click here.

R-Value Recommendation Form

House Status:

Fuel Type:

House Location
(First Three Digits of ZIP Code):

Remember to buy the insulation based on the recommended R-value, and to check the product label to determine the insulation's proper thickness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Envelope Research
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For more information, contact the program manager for Building Envelope Research:

André O. Desjarlais
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P. O. Box 2008, MS 6070
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6070

E-mail Andre Desjarlais

This page updated on January 31, 2008.