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The R-value
of All Tech Industries' Cellulose System, or its ability to stop heat
transfer, remains consistent through a greater temperature and
application range than that of loose-fill fiberglass, keeping
heat in during the winter, and out during the summer.
The density of
All Tech Industries' Cellulose System
gives it a high R-value per inch. Unlike
blown fiberglass,
the All Tech Industries' Cellulose System
maintains that R-value even under
extremely cold conditions. Also,
the All Tech Industries' Cellulose System seamless
monolithic blanket ensures that R-values are not compromised by
unnecessary gaps in insulation.
The
All Tech Industries' Cellulose System is
denser than fiberglass, so air flow is reduced—which saves the
consumer money on utility bills!* These fibers remain uniform, so they won't lose their ability to block air movement
through the years. The R-factor of
the All Tech Industries' Cellulose System is
approximately 3.8 per inch, and does not vary significantly over
a wide range of densities. In an attic, about 10 inches of
cellulose insulation will have an R-value of R-38. Compare this
to fiberglass’s R-factor of 2.2 to 2.7 per inch.
The
U.S. Federal Trade
Commission developed an insulation rating mechanism to help end
the false and misleading claims about insulation that once
abounded. Called R-value, this rating is based on a laboratory
measurement, the R-factor, which reflects a material’s ability
to stop or slow heat transfer.* When you’re shopping for
insulation or talking to your builder, understanding R-value can
help you make intelligent choices about insulation. But, in the
real world environment of your side walls and attic, there are
variables that change how that insulation will perform.
For one thing, R-value changes with extreme temperatures. So
attic
insulation rated R-38 will perform at a different R-value
at 20°F below zero. Why is this an important distinction? The
effective R-values of fiberglass may change
under very cold temperatures.
While loose-fill
fiberglass can lose as much as half its R-value at 20°F below
zero, All Tech Industries' actually performs at a higher R-value at
20°F below than it does at a pleasant 70°F. Those were the
findings of tests conducted by the
Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. And what it means is that All Tech Industries' works
hardest when it’s needed most.
In addition, the
R-value of blown fiberglass insulation changes with density.
Adding air to blown-in fiberglass by "fluffing" it
adversely affects its R-value. And, batts lose R-value when
compressed into a tight space. All Tech Industries', on the other
hand, does not lose R-value if air is added or it’s fluffed.
If it maintains its specified thickness, it will perform
correctly.
So R-value is a useful
measurement of thermal resistance, but it’s important to
remember that R-value is just one piece of the equation. If a
house isn’t properly sealed and there are gaps in the
insulation, a high R-value isn’t going to keep that home
comfortable. Heat seeks cold spots in much the same way that
water runs down a drain, or rain finds its way to a hole in the
roof. It doesn’t matter if the rest of the roof is performing
to specification if water finds the one hole. Because it forms a
seamless protective blanket, All Tech Industries' effectively fills
those gaps.
Here’s how it works: You take the
R-factor of the insulation and multiply it by the amount or
thickness of the material. So insulation with an R-factor of 3
per inch which is 5 inches thick has an R-value of 15.
If you don't see your solution listed,
contact an All Tech Industries
engineer today (989-826-9999) for a deeper discussion
about your insulation requirements.
* These recommendations are
cost-effective levels of insulation based on the best available
information on local fuel and materials costs and weather
conditions. Consequently, the levels may differ from current
local building codes. In addition, the apparent fragmentation of
the recommendations is an artifact of these data and should not
be considered absolute minimum requirements.
A.) R-18, R-22, and R-28 exterior
wall systems can be achieved by either cavity insulation or
cavity insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in. x 4 in. walls, use either 3½ in. thick R-15 or 3½ in.
thick R-13 fiber glass insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in. x 6 in. walls, use either 5½ in. thick R-21 or 6¼ in.
thick R-19 fiber glass insulation.
B.) Insulate crawl space walls
only if the crawl space is dry all year, the floor above is not
insulated, and all ventilation to the crawl space is blocked.
A vapor retarder (e.g., 4- or 6-mil polyethylene film) should be
installed on the ground to reduce moisture migration into the
crawl space.
C.) No slab edge insulation is
recommended.
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Recommended
Specifications by Insulation Type |
|
|
Cellulose
(stabilized) |
Fiberglass
(loose fill) |
Rock
Wool |
|
R-value/
inch |
3.8 |
2.2–2.7 |
3.0–3.3 |
|
Inches
(cm) needed for R-38 |
10.3 |
14–17
(35–43) |
11.5–13
(29–33) |
|
Density
in lb/ft3 (kg/m3) |
1.6 (progressive) |
0.5–1.0
(10–14) |
1.7
(27) |
From the Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC).
The All Tech Industries' Cellulose System installed
performance varies with application method. Properly
installed All Tech Industries' products such as
maintain a fixed depth and
R-value from the moment of installation. Cellulose loose
fill products – those installed without water –
settle roughly 10-12% before maintaining a constant
depth and installed R-value. |
Long-Term Thermal Performance
All Tech Industries' outperforms other insulation materials in
three important ways.
1) Unlike fiberglass batts,
the
All Tech Industries' Cellulose System creates an
uninterrupted blanket wherever it is installed.
Because it completely fills the areas where it is
installed,
The
All Tech Industries Cellulose System R-value is not reduced by gaps,
voids or compression.
2) Tests show that
The All Tech Industries' Cellulose System’s high density
allows it to retain its R-value across a wide range of
temperatures. These same
tests show that the effective R-value of fiberglass,
in particular, can be reduced up to 50% as
temperatures approach 0° F.1
3)
Thermal
performance is more than just R-value. In many
instances, the R-values of some insulating products are
less effective because their lower densities allow air
to flow through them. "The most common insulation,
Fiberglass, does not stop air leakage. In older homes,
dirty fiberglass is a telltale sign of air movement (it
simply collects dirt like a filter)."2
The
All Tech Industries' Cellulose System’s high density greatly limits the amount of air
that can pass through it. |
*"Air Sealing Fact Sheet" published by the U.S.
Department of Energy
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