Insulation & Air Sealing (R05)

Insulation and air sealing reduce energy costs and improve comfort – critical in Utah where temperature extremes and high elevation create significant heating and cooling loads.

This BidScope guides you through insulation types: fiberglass batts (economical, DIY-friendly, R-13 to R-38 depending on thickness), blown-in cellulose (retrofit and attics, fills gaps, settles over time), spray foam (open or closed cell, air sealing and insulation combined, premium performance), and rigid foam boards (foundation and exterior, continuous insulation).

Learn R-value requirements: walls (R-13 to R-21 depending on climate zone and construction), attics (R-38 to R-60 for Utah, higher in cold climates), floors over crawlspaces (R-19 to R-30), foundations (R-10 to R-15 continuous), Utah energy code (prescriptive requirements by county and elevation).

Understand air sealing importance: infiltration loss (30-40% of energy through air leaks, insulation alone insufficient), blower door testing (measure air changes per hour, target 3-7 ACH50 for existing homes), thermal imaging (identify hidden leaks and missing insulation), building performance.

Master spray foam types: open-cell (R-3.7 per inch, vapor permeable, less expensive, sound dampening), closed-cell (R-6.5 per inch, vapor barrier, rigid and strong, air and moisture barrier), application (professional equipment, proper ventilation during cure), flash and batt (thin spray foam seal, fiberglass over for cost savings).

Navigate installation methods: batt installation (kraft or unfaced, friction-fit, cut around obstacles, no compression), blown-in (attic and wall cavities, professional equipment, density critical for performance), spray foam (licensed applicator, protective gear, overspray risk), rigid boards (cut to fit, sealed joints, exterior or interior application).

Learn attic insulation: ventilation required (soffit and ridge vents, prevent moisture and ice dams), depth (blown-in settles, 16-20 inches for R-60), baffles (maintain airflow from soffit to ridge, prevent insulation blocking), radiant barriers (reflective foil, reduces radiant heat in summer).

Understand basement and crawlspace: rim joist sealing (major air leak source, spray foam ideal), wall insulation (interior versus exterior, moisture considerations), vapor barriers (6-mil poly in crawlspaces, prevent ground moisture), ventilation (sealed crawlspace versus vented, current codes favor sealed).

Know air sealing priorities: attic bypasses (plumbing and electrical penetrations, recessed lights, chimney chases), windows and doors (caulk and weatherstrip, visual gaps), basement (rim joist, sill plate, foundation cracks), ductwork (seal with mastic, significant leakage source).

Navigate Utah climate considerations: heating degree days (5,000-8,000+ depending on elevation, insulation investment pays back), cooling (minimal except southern Utah, attic ventilation and radiant barriers help), moisture concerns (dry climate reduces risk, but shower and cooking humidity still present), thermal bridging (studs conduct heat, continuous insulation reduces).

Learn health and safety: asbestos (vermiculite insulation may contain, testing before disturbance), vapor barriers (placement depends on climate, wrong location traps moisture), combustion safety (proper clearances around chimneys and flues), ventilation (balance air sealing with fresh air, mechanical ventilation may be needed).

Calculate energy savings: insulation and air sealing reduce heating and cooling costs 20-50%, payback period 3-10 years depending on existing conditions and utility rates, utility rebates (Rocky Mountain Power and others offer incentives), home value (insulated homes sell better and appraise higher).

Budget realistically: blown-in attic insulation $1.50-3.50 per square foot, spray foam $3-7 per square foot depending on type and thickness, air sealing package $500-2,000, whole-house insulation upgrade $3,000-15,000+, blower door test $200-400.

This tool ensures your insulation and air sealing are properly installed for maximum energy efficiency and comfort.

What’s Included:

• Insulation types (fiberglass batts economical DIY R-13 to R-38, blown-in cellulose retrofit/attics fills gaps settles, spray foam open/closed cell air sealing combined premium, rigid foam boards foundation/exterior continuous)
• R-value requirements (walls R-13 to R-21 climate/construction, attics R-38 to R-60 Utah higher cold, floors crawlspaces R-19 to R-30, foundations R-10 to R-15 continuous, Utah energy code prescriptive county/elevation)
• Air sealing importance (infiltration 30-40% energy leaks insulation insufficient, blower door test ACH50 target 3-7 existing, thermal imaging identify hidden leaks missing, building performance)
• Spray foam types (open-cell R-3.7/inch vapor permeable less expensive sound, closed-cell R-6.5/inch vapor barrier rigid strong air/moisture, application professional equipment ventilation cure, flash/batt thin seal fiberglass cost savings)
• Installation methods (batt kraft/unfaced friction-fit cut around no compression, blown-in attic/walls professional equipment density performance, spray foam licensed applicator protective gear overspray, rigid boards cut sealed joints exterior/interior)
• Attic insulation (ventilation required soffit/ridge prevent moisture ice dams, depth blown-in settles 16-20 inches R-60, baffles maintain airflow soffit-ridge prevent blocking, radiant barriers reflective foil reduces radiant summer)
• Basement/crawlspace (rim joist sealing major air leak spray foam ideal, wall insulation interior vs exterior moisture, vapor barriers 6-mil poly crawlspaces prevent ground, ventilation sealed vs vented codes favor sealed)
• Air sealing priorities (attic bypasses plumbing/electrical/recessed lights/chimney, windows/doors caulk weatherstrip gaps, basement rim joist/sill plate/cracks, ductwork seal mastic significant leakage)
• Utah climate (heating degree days 5,000-8,000+ elevation investment payback, cooling minimal southern attic ventilation radiant barriers, moisture dry climate shower/cooking humidity, thermal bridging studs conduct continuous reduces)
• Health and safety (asbestos vermiculite testing before disturbance, vapor barriers placement climate wrong traps moisture, combustion clearances chimneys/flues, ventilation balance air sealing fresh air mechanical may be needed)
• Energy savings (reduce heating/cooling 20-50%, payback 3-10 years existing/rates, utility rebates Rocky Mountain Power incentives, home value insulated sell better appraise)
• Cost ($1.50-3.50/sf blown-in attic, $3-7/sf spray foam type/thickness, $500-2,000 air sealing package, $3,000-15,000+ whole-house upgrade, $200-400 blower door test)