For an insulation inspection during a building inspection, our handy guide – “25 Checkpoints for Inspecting Insulation Jobs” – covers all the bases, and then some. Intended to provide useful guidance on how to improve the quality of the installation of insulation products, the List has been created by our experts here at the Insulation Institute....

No matter what you call it, air flow and its management are vital to the performance, energy efficiency and comfort of a new or renovated home. Not only that: improper air flow can have severe effects on the health and safety of the people in the building by promoting mold growth, spreading pollutants, and possibly creating backdrafting of...

When it comes to energy costs, we all know the big numbers lie in heating and cooling the house. A large portion of this excessive energy use is due to air leakage as well as too little – or improperly installed – insulation. A good thermal boundary, which includes insulation, windows and doors, not only reduces energy waste, but also greatly...

Whether you’re building new construction or working on a renovation, you’ve got to think about preparing for and preventing the impact of water on the structure of the home. Because without your expertise, homes can easily have a drinking problem -- and the water they absorb can be downright destructive.

Net-Zero Energy vs. Zero Energy Ready Homes

Not all net-zero energy (NZE) homes are created equal, well, they aren’t all built the same that is. Also, slight differences in wording can mean different things. Did you know that there are net-zero energy homes and Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH). What’s the difference? DOE...

There’s no question that the quality of the insulation installation has a tremendous impact on the comfort of a home. With temperatures dipping across the country and fall weatherization on the minds of many homeowners, insulation contractors are likely seeing an uptick in interest from consumers in adding insulation to their homes — particularly...

New emissions rules for Wool Fiberglass and Mineral Wool product facilities

Standardized Methods Needed to Assess Potential Impacts of Spray Foam Insulation Products

This fall the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program will launch its second annual “Rule Your Attic” Campaign to increase homeowners’ awareness of the financial, comfort, and environmental benefits of adequately sealing and insulating their homes. Through this campaign Energy Star hopes that homeowners become knowledgeable of their home’s energy use and take...

While the idea of a super-insulated, high-performance house began in North America in response to the 1973 energy crisis, interest in this concept declined in the United States and Canada in the following decades.[1] Subsequently, the concept picked up steam in the early 1900s and developed into Passivehaus in Germany. Passivehaus was designed to...