How Much Insulation For Basement Walls
Insulating a basement is a great idea if it wasn t insulated when built as before we began insulating foundation walls and below slabs see slab on grade it was generally estimated that basement heat loss accounted for about 1 3 of the total heat loss of a house it is likely that such an abysmal starting place made the addition of any insulation at all seem sufficient so basements built to.
How much insulation for basement walls. Interior basement wall insulation has the following advantages. Most new building codes require a r 11 insulation or better in your walls when you remodel the. It will also provide an important side benefit. Input length and width of area to be insulated.
Insulated walls are less susceptible to condensation and mold. It eliminates the threat of insect infestation. Basement insulation is cost effective. I still believe you should insulate when you finish your basement.
When insulating concrete basement walls a good idea because concrete basement walls are often cold use rigid foam board insulation if the insulation will come into direct contact with the. Many people will argue that basement insulation is not important because the foundation temp stays a constant 55 degrees and the wind does not blow 8 feet underground. If you live in climate zone 3 or anywhere colder installing basement wall insulation will almost always save you money through lower energy bills. Adding insulation to or improving inadequate insulation on your interior basement walls can save you anywhere from 280 a year if you live in washington d c to 390 annually if you live in buffalo new york these are using natural gas rates of 72 therm.
This calculator is to be used as an estimating tool only. According to a report published by the u s. Cover your insulation with drywall. In an existing home adding insulation to the exterior of the basement walls is impractical.
Drywall is commonly used to cover the basement insulation but if aesthetics are not a concern you can also cover the insulation with plywood. Click the button to calculate the amount of insulation in square feet and man hours wall and ceiling fiberglass insulation needed for this job. Department of energy the annual savings attributable to r 20 basement insulation in a 1 500 square foot home ranged from 280 per year in washington dc to 390 per year in buffalo new york assuming that natural gas costs 0 72 therm. It is much less expensive to install than exterior insulation for existing buildings.
How much money will basement insulation save you annually. Find your zone on the map and then use the above insulation r value chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces.