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The Environmental Impact of Different Insulation Materials

The Environmental Impact of Different Insulation Materials. By: Sarah Gingrich. General Environmental Concerns. Effectiveness Suitability Structural Compatibility Maintenance Requirements Production Aspects Retrieval / Transportation Impacts Preparation / Processing Recycled Content

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The Environmental Impact of Different Insulation Materials

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  1. The Environmental Impact of Different Insulation Materials By: Sarah Gingrich

  2. General Environmental Concerns • Effectiveness • Suitability • Structural Compatibility • Maintenance Requirements • Production Aspects • Retrieval / Transportation Impacts • Preparation / Processing • Recycled Content • By Products • Energy & Material Consumption • Disposal / Degradation / Recyclability • Environmental Integrity of Producer

  3. Types of Insulation Materials • Fiberglass • Cellulose • Agricultural • Mineral • Plastic

  4. Fiberglass • Different types • Batts • Blow–in • Advantages • ~25% Recycled Content • Disadvantages • Chemical Binder Used • Fiber similar to Asbestos – Air quality issues • High Embodied Energy • Recent Innovations • Higher density – better R-values • Healthier – no chemical binder, less irritation

  5. Cellulose • Usually Blow-in Insulation • Advantages • ~75% Recycled Materials • R3.6-3.8 per inch • Low embodied energy • Disadvantages • Possible Off-gassing • Fire Retardants Added

  6. Agricultural • Cotton Fibers • Batts or Loose-Fill • Advantages • Made from Mill waste or recycled cotton • Does not irritate skin • Disadvantages • Treated with a fire retardant

  7. Agricultural • Straw Bale • Advantages • Low cost • Disadvantages • Only R2.4-3.0 per inch • Compressed Straw is new to the market

  8. Mineral • Perlite • Used as insulation in concrete block cavities • Advantages • Made from volcanic material • Aggregate • Non-flammable and lightweight • ~ 23% recycled content • Disadvantages • High embodied energy

  9. Mineral • Rock Wool • Usually Blow-In insulation • Advantages • ~75% recycled steel slag • Non-flammable, chemically inert • Disadvantages • High embodied energy • Air quality problems similar to Fiberglass

  10. Mineral • Cementitious Foam • Usually blow-in insulation • Advantages • No indoor air quality issues • Naturally fire proof, lightweight • Made from magnesium from sea water • Disadvantages • Not usually a recycled content • Friable (easily crumbled)

  11. Plastics • Kinds of Plastics • Polyurethane • Polystyrene • Polyisocyanurate • Icynene • Types of Insulation • Blow-In • Rigid Board • Fiber Batts

  12. Plastics • Blow-in and Rigid Board • Advantages • Very high R values • ~5-9% recycled content • Disadvantages • Possible Off-gassing • especially CFC and HCFCs

  13. Plastics • Recent Innovation – Fiber Batts • Advantages • 100% recycled PET plastic • R3.8-4.3 values per inch • Does not burn • Disadvantages • Melts at relatively low temperatures • Difficult to cut

  14. Different Ways to Insulate • Batts • Blow-In • Rigid Board • Structural Insulated Panels • Insulated Cement Blocks

  15. Batts and Rigid Board • Advantages • Easy Installation • Disadvantages • Leaves cracks and crevices  Air leaks • High embodied energy to form

  16. Blow-In Insulation • Advantages • Fills in cracks and crevices • Can be trimmed to fit • Disadvantages • Requires expert installation • Expensive equipment • Can off gas

  17. Structural Insulated Panels • Advantages • Fit together perfectly, easy installation • No holes • Cracks are sealed • No need for framing • Disadvantages • Usually made with Chemical Insulation

  18. Insulated Cement Blocks • Advantages • Create your own mix of cement • Very high structural stability • Disadvantages • Uses plastic or Styrofoam • Off-gassing, harmful to atmosphere

  19. Importance of Proper Installation • Energy Reduction • Super Insulation • Air Leaks • Air Quality

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