The first thing I did is walk around my basement to see how much or in my case how little insulation I have. None of my hot water pipes for my baseboard heaters are insulated. My Heater & floor joist had little to no insulation on the outside walls. My concrete basement walls and floor had no insulation. The house is over 40 years old so I doubt that the outside walls have any insulation or vapor barriers.
So the second step for me was the MONEY. My and your budget will tell you how my insulation you will be installing. They say that most of your heat goes out the floor joist wall. Spray in foam will help with the air leaks or (infiltration) and water vapor. To save money the foam only expands out one inch for a R-5, then put a R-15 batt insulation behind the foam. R values can be added together for a total of R-20. The Johns Manville R-Value estimator show that in NH R-19 is best for state.
If you have money for more insulation you can do insulate concrete walls you can use Insulation blankets or rigid foam board. Hot water pipes to insulate or not insulate. If you insulate your pipes you save energy on your heat bill. But you will also remove your basements heat source. Many Basements do not have a heater so your exposed hot water pipes become your heater. Your choice on what you want to do.
Green Options- All ways use formaldehyde free insulation (Go to Lowe’s for Johns Manville) fiberglass batt. Or Natural Cotton insulation, for spray foams look for CFC Free, or you can try soy based foams.
Always what your budget and keep your eyes open for greener products.
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Comment by Mr WordPress — July 25, 2008 @ 1:29 pm |