contents 1. Different Types of Insulation 2. Contractors Associations 3. Insulation Company Selection 4. Exerpt from the Federal Trade Commission Regulations

Proper insulation installation is the key to creating a comfortable indoor environment and an energy efficient building. A qualified insulation contractor will properly install commercial and residential insulation. An insulation contractor should offer in-depth knowledge regarding local building codes and regulations, amount and type of insulation to use, moisture control strategies using vapor retarders, air infiltration elimination strategies, ventilation methods, recessed lighting needs, pipe and duct insulation as well as efficient installation techniques.

Insulation companies will be knowledgeable regarding the many varieties of insulation and how to use and combine them to achieve the desired thermal protection. To ensure quality, the insulation company should offer both ICC-ES recognized and ENERGY STAR qualified products made by manufacturers who are in compliance with ISO 9001:2000 standards. Energy Star products are aimed at helping consumers save energy. As 50-70 percent of home energy costs are used for heating and cooling, using energy efficient products will help minimize utility bills.

The latest advance in insulation in recent years by far is reflective aluminum insulation used as a radiant barrier. Reflective insulation has grown in popularity over the last 20 years as studies by the Florida Solar Energy Center and others have shown that it both works and saves a significant amount of money in air conditioning costs. Make sure the insulation company is knowledgeable regarding reflective insulation and how use it properly as a radiant barrier. If not, they are not working with up-to-date information and techniques currently recommended by the US Department of Energy and state agencies.

While other types of insulation are made to resist or impede the flow of warm air, reflective aluminum foil insulation reflects back radiant (infra-red) energy from the sun so it does not penetrate the building. It can also reflect back radiant heat inside the house so it does not escape. The concept is simple: each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your home in summer and each unit reflected back inside during winter means less operation of your air conditioning and heating systems, less wear and tear on your equipment, and less money you pay in utility costs.

Click here for a comprehensive article on the different types of insulation and their uses.

While many insulation companies provide a complete range of insulation solutions, some will specialize in spraying foam or spraying loose fill cellulose. Use a certified contractor. Check for membership in industry associations like ICAA, Insulation Contractor`s Association of America. They have the latest information on Federal Tax Credits and State Tax energy incentives. ICAA also offers a 25 point insulation inspection checklist for inspecting fiberglass batt installation.

National Insulation Contractors Associations

• ICAA - Insulation Contractors Association of America - www.insulate.org
• NIA - National Insulation Association - http://www.insulation.org

Regional Insulation Contractors Associations

• CSIA - Central States Insulation Association - http://www.csiaonline.org
• ESICA - Eastern States Insulation Contractors Association - http://www.esica.org
• MICA - Midwest Insulation Contractors Association - http://www.micainsulation.org
• SEICA - Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association - http://www.seica.org
• SWICA - Southwest Insulation Contractors Association - http://www.swicaonline.org
• TIAC - Thermal Insulation Association of Canada - http://www.tiac.ca
• WICA - Western Insulation Contractors Association - http://www.wica1.com

Industry associations recommend getting at least three written bids before selecting a contractor. The bids should list specific types of insulation for different areas of the building, thickness of insulation, R-value the insulation will achieve, places where a radiant barrier will be used and type of vapor barrier if applicable. The bid should also state how long the installation job will take. Many insulation companies guarantee their work. The warranty should accompany the bid.

Make sure the company is knowledgeable regarding local building codes and ventilation strategies. In addition, the insulation company should carry three types of insurance - workman`s compensation, personal liability, and property damage. This protects you in the event that a worker gets injured while inside your house and also protects you in the event that your house is damaged during installation.

All insulation companies are required by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule 16CFR460 to give you a signed, dated receipt. The Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation Rule 460 requires the receipt to show the coverage area, thickness and R-value for all insulation installed plus number of bags used for loose-fill. For reflective insulation, the receipt must show the number and thickness of the air spaces, the direction of heat flow and the R-Value. An excerpt from the ruling appears below.

Be sure to inspect the insulation installation in a new building before the drywall goes up. Look for:

• Proper taping of seams
• All cracks are sealed with tape, foam or caulk as appropriate
• The right thickness is installed
• The attic door is insulated
• Vapor barriers have no tears or punctures
• Vapor barriers are on the warm side of the wall
• Reflective surfaces are facing an airspace
• Batts are not compressed
• Blown insulation measures the proper thickness
• Recessed lighting fixtures are not covered
• Pipes and ducts are wrapped
• R-values are marked on the insulation itself
• Nothing combustible is touching the chimney
• Insulation is sealed to electrical boxes
• Attic vents and soffit vents are not blocked

Click here for a comprehensive article on vapor barriers.

LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF HOME INSULATION 16CFR460

The full text of the regulation is available at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/rvalue/16cfr460.shtm#16

Sec. 460.17 What installers must tell their customers.
If you are an installer, you must give your customers a contract or receipt for the insulation you install. For all insulation except loose-fill and aluminum foil, the receipt must show the coverage area, thickness, and R-value of the insulation you installed. For loose-fill, the receipt must show those three items plus the number of bags used. For aluminum foil, the receipt must show the number and thickness of the air spaces, the direction of heat flow, and the R-value. The receipt must be dated and signed by the installer. To figure out the R-value of the insulation, use the data that the manufacturer gives you. Do not multiply the R-value for one inch by the number of inches you installed.
If you put insulation in more than one part of the house, put the data for each part on the receipt. You can do this on one receipt, as long as you do not add up the coverage areas or R-values for different parts of the house.

Sec. 460.18 Insulation ads.
a. If your ad gives an R-value, you must give the type of insulation and the thickness needed to get that R-value. Also, add this statement explaining R-values: "The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Ask your seller for the fact sheet on R-values."
b. If your ad gives a price, you must give the type of insulation, the R-value at a specific thickness, the statement explaining R-values in paragraph (a) of this section, and the coverage area for that thickness. If you give the price per square foot, you do not have to give the coverage area.
c. If your ad gives the thickness of your insulation, you must give its R-value at that thickness and the statement explaining R-values in paragraph (a) of this section.
d. If your ad compares one type of insulation to another, the comparison must be based on the same coverage areas. You must give the R-value at a specific thickness for each insulation, and the statement explaining R-values in paragraph (a) of this section. If you give the price of each insulation, you must also give the coverage area for the price and thickness shown. However, if you give the price per square foot, you do not have to give the coverage area.
e. If your ad gives the R-value of urea-based foam insulation, you must add this statement: "Foam insulation shrinks after it is installed. This shrinkage may significantly reduce the R-value you get." However, you can lower your product''''s R-value to account for shrinkage. To do this, you must have reliable scientific proof of the extent of shrinkage for your product and of its effect on R-value. If you lower your product''''s R-value, you need not make the above statement.
f. The affirmative disclosure requirements in Sec. 460.18 do not apply to ads on television.
[44 FR 50242, Aug. 27, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 39651, Oct. 30, 1986]

Sec. 460.19 Savings claims.
a. If you say or imply in your ads, labels, or other promotional materials that insulation can cut fuel bills or fuel use, you must have a reasonable basis for the claim. For example, if you say that insulation can "slash" or "lower" fuel bills, or that insulation "saves money," you must have a reasonable basis for the claim. Also, if you say that insulation can "cut fuel use in half," or "lower fuel bills by 30%," you must have a reasonable basis for the claim.
b. If you say or imply in your ads, labels, or other promotional materials that insulation can cut fuel bills or fuel use, you must make this statement about savings: "Savings vary. Find out why in the seller''''s fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power."
c. If you say or imply that a combination of products can cut fuel bills or use, you must have a reasonable basis for the claim. You must make the statement about savings in paragraph (b) of this section. Also, you must list the combination of products used. They may be two or more types of insulation; one or more types of insulation and one or more other insulating products, like storm windows or siding; or insulation for two or more parts of the house, like the attic and walls. You must say how much of the savings came from each product or location. If you cannot give exact or approximate figures, you must give a ranking. For instance, if your ad says that insulation and storm doors combined to cut fuel use by 50%, you must say which one saved more.
d. If your ad or other promotional material is covered by Sec. 460.18 (a), (b), (c), or (d), and also makes a savings claim, you must follow the rules in Secs. 460.18 and 460.19. However, you need not make the statement explaining R-value in Sec. 460.18(a).
e. Manufacturers are liable if they do not have a reasonable basis for their savings claims before the claim is made. If you are not a manufacturer, you are liable only if you know or should know that the manufacturer does not have a reasonable basis for the claim.
f. Keep records of all data on savings claims for at least three years. For the records showing proof for claims, the three years will begin again each time you make the claim. Federal Trade Commission staff members can check these records at any time, but they must give you reasonable notice first.
g. The affirmative disclosure requirements in Sec. 460.19 do not apply to ads on television.
[44 FR 50242, Aug. 27, 1979, as amended at 51 FR 39651, Oct. 30, 1986]

Sec. 460.20 R-value per inch claims.
In labels, fact sheets, ads, or other promotional materials, do not give the R-value for one inch or the "R-value per inch" of your product. There are two exceptions:
a. You can do this if you suggest using your product at a one-inch thickness.
b. You can do this if actual test results prove that the R-values per inch of your product does not drop as it gets thicker.
You can list a range of R-value per inch. If you do, you must say exactly how much the R-value drops with greater thickness. You must also add this statement: "The R-value per inch of this insulation varies with thickness. The thicker the insulation, the lower the R-value per inch."