Why Wall Insulation Matters in Tennessee
Our Tennessee climate presents a unique challenge for homeowners: finding the key to staying comfortable throughout our hot, humid summers and chilly winters. The solution is proper insulation. While attic insulation is a key factor in home energy efficiency, wall insulation plays an equally important role in maintaining indoor comfort.
Sadly though, for those with older homes built between 1950 and 1970, these homes often have little to no insulation in their walls. Without insulation, your home lacks a thermal barrier, leading to fluctuating indoor temperatures and higher heating and cooling costs. By adding wall insulation, you can enjoy:
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- Improved energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
- More consistent indoor temperatures.
- A quieter and more comfortable home.
- Environmental benefits such as a reduced carbon footprint.
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Let’s explore more about wall insulation for your Tennessee home, whether old or new, and why cellulose insulation might be the best solution.
What is Cellulose Insulation?
Among the types of insulation available, loose fill cellulose is an excellent choice for your home or building project. This eco-friendly insulation is composed of recycled paper, with 82-85% coming from post-consumer recycled material. It’s treated with borate minerals, making it fire resistant, mold resistant, and able to deter pests.
Installation Process
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- Dense-pack installation: Cellulose is blown into wall cavities behind plastic sheeting with specialized equipment to ensure full coverage and prevent settling.
- Stabilized cellulose: It’s sprayed into open wall cavities without plastic, using a mist of water or adhesive, which allows the insulation to adhere and stay in place.
- Retrofit Applications: Cellulose is installed through small holes in your exterior walls, which are then sealed and the siding replaced as needed, leaving no visible changes to your home’s exterior.
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For new construction, cellulose is installed using the wet spray (stabilized cellulose) method before drywall is installed. For best results, existing homes utilize the retrofit application for exterior walls and dense-pack installation for interior walls.
Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings
Choosing to use cellulose insulation in your new or existing home’s walls reduces the heat transfer through the walls and helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You can expect to save up to 20% on energy costs by properly insulating your home, including your walls.
When you consider dense-packed cellulose’s R-value (its thermal resistance), it has a high R-value of up to 3.8 per inch, meaning a total value of R-13 in 2 x 4 walls and R-20 in 2 x 6 walls. These amounts meet or exceed Tennessee’s energy codes to bring you more cost savings.
Beyond insulating, cellulose also helps reduce air leaks and stabilize humidity levels for a more energy-efficient home.
Environmental Benefits of Cellulose Insulation
Another factor to consider when choosing wall insulation is whether it’s environmentally friendly. Cellulose hits the mark in many ways because:
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- It’s made from recycled post-consumer recycled paper, which helps keep huge volumes of paper from landfills.
- It uses ten times less energy to produce than fiberglass insulation.
- It contains no formaldehyde, fiberglass, or harsh chemicals, making it safer for indoor air quality.
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Improved Home Comfort
Beyond energy savings, the benefits of cellulose insulation also include greater home comfort thanks to:
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- More stable indoor temperatures year-round.
- The lessening of cold spots and drafts thanks to less air leaks.
- The reduction of outside noise for a quieter home.
- Improved indoor humidity control.
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Tennessee-Specific Insulation Standards & Incentives
Energy Code Requirements
Tennessee authorities want to build a more energy-efficient community which is why they require every home built in Tennessee to meet the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) insulation requirements. Our state follows the 2018 IECC standards for our climate zones, climate zones 3 and 4, which require a minimum of R-13 in exterior walls.
Incentives Available
You can also save money through the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) when you update or install insulation in your new or existing home. With this federal insulation tax credit, you can claim 30% of your insulation costs (up to $1,200 annually).
Count on B&M Insulation: Your Insulation Partner
Don’t let your exterior walls go bare without proper wall insulation. Give your home the protection it needs with cellulose insulation, the cost-effective solution that improves comfort and lowers utility bills.
At B&M Insulation, we offer expert installation of insulation materials like cellulose for Murfreesboro area homeowners and builders. Contact us today for a free estimate and start enjoying the benefits of cellulose insulation!
References
Basement Systems. (n.d.). Crawl space rats: How to get rid of them. Retrieved from https://www.basementsystems.com/crawl-space/crawl-space-rats.html
Energy.gov. (n.d.). Unvented crawlspace code adoption: Building America top innovation. U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/unvented-crawlspace-code-adoption-building-america-top-innovation
Green Machine Pest Control. (n.d.). Insulation and pest control in Chandler, AZ. Retrieved from https://www.greenmachinepest.com/areas-we-serve/insulation-pest-control-chandler
HVAC.com. (n.d.). Crawl space insulation: How to insulate the right way. Retrieved from https://www.hvac.com/expert-advice/crawl-space-insulation-how-to-insulate-the-right-way
Portland.gov. (n.d.). PCEF insulation and air sealing: Crawl space unvented. Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.portland.gov/bps/cleanenergy/documents/pcef-insulation-and-air-sealing-crawlspace-unvented/download
Terminix. (n.d.). Keep pests out of crawl spaces. Retrieved from https://www.terminix.com/blog/home-garden/keep-pests-out-of-crawl-space
Thrasher Foundation Repair. (n.d.). Does your crawl space affect the air quality in your home?. Retrieved from https://www.gothrasher.com/about/news-and-events/47855-does-your-crawl-space-affect-the-air-quality-in-your-home.html