Insulation keeps the cocoa hot and the Kool-Aid cold, at least that’s how the saying goes. But, according to a new study from Boston University School of Public Heath (BUSPH), it can do so much more than that.
Proudgreenhome.com reports that the BUSPH study indicates increasing insulation levels in existing U.S. single-family homes to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code level would cut electricity consumption by 37 billion kilowatt hours across the United States. The total is the same as the annual electricity usage of 3.4 million homes.
But that’s not all, increasing the insulation levels in existing homes would also cut residential natural gas consumption by 9 percent, propane use by 10 percent, and fuel consumption by 12 percent. The study notes that around 90 percent of homes across the country are under-insulated.
Additionally, increasing residential insulation across the country would reduce annual CO2 emissions from power plants by 80 million tons, create 30 million fewer tons of CO2 per year form direct residential combustion, and eliminate 320 premature deaths per year associated with air pollution from power plans and direct residential combustion.
It should be noted, however, that this study was sponsored by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, but while they may have a little bit of skin in the game, there is no doubt that improving insulation can drastically help reduce a homes energy consumption. Just look at net-zero homes, where insulation is a key component in helping a home reach its net-zero goal.
