Energy Performance is a critical component of any home. Energy performance (energy efficiency) is a central theme for high performance homes, ENERGY STAR® homes, Green Building, and other building initiatives.

Performance buildings is about a systematic design and build approach with a focus on reducing energy loss, tightening the building envelope, reducing air leakage in the building and within the duct system, improving IAQ and safety, rightsizing the heating and cooling (HVAC) system, and providing comfort, durability sustainability and affordability. In fact, it takes special care to ensure the home performs as well as it looks.

There are many techniques, technologies and materials used today that will make the home more comfortable, healthier, more efficient and more durable. The keys to high performance and energy efficiency are careful insulation, air sealing, rightsizing the HVAC system, and excellent moisture control. Energy efficiency is a critical component and the right insulation choice can significantly affect energy performance.

Each year as you weatherize your home before winter, you search for leaks around doors and windows → anywhere you see daylight you make sure you caulk and seal the opening. You do this because you know those openings to daylight are places where you will lose energy, lose the precious heat to the outside, and where there will be cold air drafts; all of which cost you in your monthly utility bill.

The same principle holds true for the insulation in your walls → you know the places you cannot see behind the sheetrock! A traditional batt insulation system, unless installed perfectly, may be costing you each month because there are gaps and voids in the way it was installed resulting in air leaks in the cavity.

Energy efficiency begins with the right insulation choice. This is not a product choice, but a choice on installation method. If you want energy efficiency, your system needs to be a full cavity installation system that can be provided with fiberglass, cellulose or foam. The installation system should completely fill the wall cavity. It should fill the cavity behind electrical boxes, pipes and conduit. A cavity fill system that is continuous, and brings the insulation to the stud facing so it will touch the sheetrock once installed.

The cavity fill installation systems from Key will provide an excellent foundation for delivered energy performance. Cavity fill systems are all about delivered R-value → the R-value delivered in the field that provides ongoing continuous energy efficiency for the home.

Imperfections like gaps, voids and compressions, will result in a lower installed R-value, or a degraded installation. This means lower effectiveness of the insulation systems. The leads to energy loss, greater air movement in the wall cavity, and ultimately higher energy bills for the homeowner. Improper installation can also result in moisture accumulation which can lead to indoor air quality and mold issues.