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Recommended Levels of Insulation

Insulation level are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost-effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Cost-effective Insulation R-Values for Existing Homes^a
If you live in a climate that is...	and your heating system is…^b	insulate to these levels in the…
If you live in a climate that is...	and your heating system is…^b	ceiling	wood-frame wall	floor	basement/ crawl space walls^d
Warm with cooling and minimal heating requirements (i.e., FL & HI; coastal CA; southeast TX; southern LA, AR, MS, AL & GA).	gas/oil or heat pump electric resistance	R-22 to R-38 R-38 to R-49	R-11 to R-13 R-13 to R-25	R-11 to R-13 R-13 to R-19	R-11 to R-19 R-11 to R-19
Mixed with moderate heating and cooling requirements (i.e., VA, WV, KY, MO, NE, OK, OR, WA & ID; southern IN, KS, NM & AZ; northern LA, AR, MS, AL & GA; inland CA & western NV).	gas/oil or heat pump electric resistance	R-38 R-49	R-11 to R-22^c R-11 to R-26^c	R-13 TO R-25 R-25	R-11 to R-19 R-11 to R-19
Cold (i.e., PA, NY, New England, northern Midwest, Great Lakes area, mountainous area (e.g., CO, WV, UT, etc.)).	gas/oil heat pump or electric resistance	R-38 to R-49 R-49	R-11 to R-22^c R-11 to R-28^c	R-25 R-25	R-11 to R-19 R-13 to R-19
a. Adapted from the U.S. Department of Energy 1997 Insulation Fact Sheet. b. Insulation is also effective at reducing cooling bills. These levels assume your house has electric air-conditioning. c. R-values may be achieved through a combination of cavity insulation and rigid board insulation and are for insulation only (not whole wall). d. Do not insulation crawl space walls if crawl space is wet or ventilated with outdoor air.