Q: My dilemma is this: I live in a 1930's bungalow with cedar shingles outside and plaster inside. There is no (as in ZERO) insulation between. In doing research on how to conserve energy, insulation is usually top on the list. What is the most environmentally friendly method of putting insulation into the space between the shingles and plaster? Cost is a factor (as always) but we are committed to using earth conscious materials and methods. Second, how can I cut down on energy loss until I can afford the insulation project?
Sent by Angel
Editor: With respect to your first point, you are absolutely right. In fact, a recent report by respected Forrester Research found that increasing building insulation offers the largest and most immediate payback. The biggest environmental cost of not insulating is invisible: it's the extra carbon that goes into the atmosphere that's needed to keep your house warm. This ongoing carbon gain quickly outstrips the one-time carbon added, for example, by replacing the plaster inside your house, or redoing the siding.
Fortunately, that's not necessary. Blown-in insulation can be installed from the inside of your house using small holes at the top and bottom of each stud cavity. Each hole will be patched afterward, and after a coat of paint, you won't even know they existed. We'd go with Icynene or another expanding plastic foam despite the plastic content. Note: foams marketed as "soy" are still primarily plastic. Blown-in cellulose can settle or, worse, not fill walls completely. Those little pockets can then trap moisture, which can cause mold and rot... and that's definitely not green.
With respect to the second question: we're not sure where you're located. If you're in a severe climate, the green thing would be to borrow a bit of money to get the insulation done, because you'll be spending the same money on fuel over the coming years instead. (You might go ahead and get a free bid -- a smart insulation salesperson will calculate the payback period for you.) Once carbon's in the atmosphere, it's pretty hard to get it out. If that's not an option, weatherstrip all the doors and windows, consider that window film stuff you shrink with a hairdryer... and turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater.
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Angel,
Found this link and saw this idea on TV before - recyled blue jeans as insulation for a more greener option.
http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/11/26/recycled-blue-jean-insulation-by-bonded-logic/
view DMartini's profile
The bonded logic stuff is great, and I love that it's recycled- we used it for soundproofing around our mechanical room. However, as it comes as big pads, I don't know if there's a way to get it into the walls of an existing house.
I had kind of a bad experience with our spray foam insulators (disorganized, messy, got it on everything), but it IS a good product, and the house is toasty even without any heating yet! The r-value on that stuff can't be beat. It's important to get it right to the edges of the studs, so you'd need to use the pour-in method, where they drill holes and the foam expands inside the walls.
Plastic foams aren't as nice as recycled jeans, true, but any insulation at all is a green option, really - the important thing is how much energy you'll be saving!
view SisterRae's profile
I agree with Sister Rae - any insulation is a good option, and once you get it done you'll reap the benefits for years to come with no effort at all. Make sure you get the right r-rating for your region, and you'll be all set.
We chose batts made out of "recycled" materials: the bits seemed to be offcuts of foam, etc, so I'd call it 'pre-consumer waste' rather than real recycling, but I could be wrong. It was the best we could manage, as our city didn't have a lot of options for green insulation. It turned out to be less expensive than I thought, and we were able to get it done quickly, which I think is the main thing.
view stringy's profile
Hey there! Thanks for answering my question. To answer your question, I am in Nashville TN, not a severe climate by any stretch.
I'm wondering about the foam and outgassing, I have become pretty intolerant to chemicals since changing to natural cleaners and cosmetics and have a physical reaction when I'm around strong chemicals.
Anyone have experience with this issue?
view angelfunk's profile
I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be in the house while they sprayed the foam, but we left the windows open for the next 2 days, and it didn't seem bad at all after that. The guy who put it in wore a full white protective suit and respirator, but his partner who stood next to him and assisted didn't have any gear on at all! Still, it is pretty noxious stuff... I'm not sure what it would be like for someone who's particularly sensitive to chemicals. Maybe the installers would let you visit a current project they're working on? Then you could gauge your reaction before you actually have to live with it.
view SisterRae's profile
If it turns out that you can't deal with that sort of insulation, laying a batted insulation (like the blue-jeans sort) in your attic will go a good way toward increasing the house's energy efficiency. (Like people, houses lose more heat through the top.)
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Angel,
You're likely to find with your historic house, as with many of the era, that you'll get the most bang for your buck properly insulating the attic (where the majority of heat loss takes place) and tightening down gaps in windows/doors (weatherstripping works wonders, as do quality storm windows). Plaster walls are constructed on a lathe network that is different from modern stud-drywall construction and are meant to breathe and exchange moisture differently than modern construction. Many people have found that blown-in insulation contributes to moisture and termite problems in older homes with plaster walls.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has extensive information and links about insulating historic homes:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/resources/insulation.html
view esappenfield's profile
Soy based spray foam insulation = no off gassing and a cleaner, mold free environment post installation.
view bagelpower's profile