Green Insulation - The Eco-Friendly Solution
Install eco-friendly green insulation to reduce your carbon footprint and make your home a much healthier environment.
Making the decision to build a green home is one of the wisest decisions that a homeowner can make. Building a green home not only has a positive affect on the homeowner - it affects everyone, including contractors and subcontractors, neighbors, home visitors, and even the community as a whole.
As an architect, I am convinced that building a green home is not only the best possible thing any homeowner can do; I believe it is the only thing they should do.
Why go green with insulation? There are several compelling reasons to consider an eco friendly insulation for homes.
Green Insulation - Cotton Is Extremely Eco-Friendly
Green Insulation is far less threatening to the health of the installing contractors than the non eco-friendly alternative.
Green Insulation does not require the use of bio suits or respirators for installation.
Once in place Green Insulation is a healthy option for the homeowners and are not a threat to the health of you or your children.
Green Insulation does not deplete any of our natural resources such as oil or trees.
Often they incorporate either renewable resources such as soybeans or recycled materials such as cotton scraps and newspapers.
Green Insulation - Soy Spray-On Insulation
Although the list continues to grow, we will cover 3 basic types of green insulation here:
- Cotton Insulation Batts
- Soy Insulation Foam
- Blown In Cellulose Insulation
Green Insulation - The Perfect Solution
Green Insulation - Energy Tax Credits
By adding any of these insulation products to your home's attic or walls, you may qualify for the Federal Energy Tax Credit.
Those qualifying for this tax credit could save 30% of material costs up to $1,500.
For complete tax credit details, click here. See the Federal Tax Credits under the Federal Energy Star Program.
Utility companies in several states are offering rebates for adding additional insulation to existing homes.
Ask your utility company for details on any rebates available in your area.
Here is the DSIRE State Database, which is a great place to start looking for tax incentives in your area.
Green Insulation - Keep your Attic Ventilated
The preferred method of preventing ice dams in non-cathedral roofs is to properly ventilate and insulate.
Energy efficient roofs minimize problems with ice dams because they keep the entire roof cold. The goal is to provide as little temperature difference between the roof surface and the underlying attic air space.
Green Insulation - The Result Of Poor Attic Ventilation
This is best accomplished by adding effective insulation properly and sealing all cracks, holes and other surfaces air-tight. Of course this also involves a superior attic ventilation plan.
Green Living Made Easy has a section on Attic Ventilation that you should read prior to installing any insulation in your home.
Better to do it right once than a redo all of your hard work.
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