Thermal Recommendations and Codes
The Department of Energy recently released its new R-value recommendations for new and existing homes. (See Figure 29, following page.) The insulation recommendations for attics, cathedral ceilings, walls and floors have been increased overall and generally exceed those required by most building codes. The new recommendations are based on comparing future energy savings to the current cost of installing insulation.
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Figure 29 Department of Energy R-Value Recommendations All of Alaska is in Zone 7, except for the following Boroughs which are in Zone 8: Bethel, Dellingham Fairbanks N. Star, Nome, North Slope, Northwest Arctic, Southeast Fairbanks, Wade, Hampton, Yukon-Koyukuk Zone 1 includes: Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands New Wood-Framed Houses
Existing Wood-Framed Houses Wall Insulation - Whenever exterior siding is removed on an: Uninsulated wood-frame wall: Insulated wood-frame wall: |
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Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before installing the new siding
Insulative sheathing may be used as necessary to meet
R-value requirements
For Zones 4-8, add R5
insulative sheathing before installing the new siding
Reference: Department of
Energy/CE-0180 2008,
Insulation Fact Sheet
Figure 29
