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Insulation Levels &
Climate Zones
The main goal of insulation in cold climates is to reduce
heat losses (reduce summer heat is a secondary goal), while in
tropical humid climates,
the insulation main goal is obviously to reduce
heat gains (a secondary goal is to keep cooled air
inside).
But there are, other mixed situations. In some warm
climates and hot dry climates with cold winters,
the insulation goal will be to reduce
both heat losses and heat gains.
As expected, recommended insulation levels vary a lot with
the part of the house. Roof,
ceiling, walls, floor or basements have different needs of
insulation
Recommended R-Values in cold and mix climates
The recommended values shown below (from the American
Energy Star ) for
American climates, are also valid in cold and mixed climates in
Canada and most European countries. Just take into account
the sub-type of climate. The values are expressed in the non-SI
rating system (conversion relation: 1
(SI)/5,67 (non SI); see, for more details on this issue:
R-Values).
|
Recommeded Insulation R-Values for
Existing Houses |
|
TYPE OF CLIMATE |
TYPE OF HEATING SYSTEM
b |
LEVELS OF INSULATION |
|
Ceiling |
Wood-frame wall |
Floor |
Basement/ Crawl space walls
d |
|
Warm with cooling and minimal
heating requirements (i.e., FL & HI; coastal CA;
southeast TX; southern LA, AR, MS, AL & GA). |
gas/oil or heat pump |
R-22 to R-38 |
R-11 to R-13 |
R-11 to R-13 |
R-11 to R-19 |
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|
electric resistance |
R-38 to R-49 |
R-13 to R-25 |
R-13 to R-19 |
R-11 to R-19 |
|
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Mixed with moderate heating and
cooling requirements (i.e., VA, WV, KY, MO, NE, OK,
OR, WA & ID; southern IN, KS, NM & AZ; northern LA, AR,
MS, AL & GA; inland CA & western NV). |
gas/oil or heat pump |
R-38 |
R-11 to R-22c |
R-13 TO R-25 |
R-11 to R-19 |
|
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|
electric resistance |
|
R-11 to R-26c |
R-25 |
R-11 to R-19 |
|
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Cold
(i.e., PA, NY, New England, northern Midwest, Great
Lakes area, mountainous area (e.g., CO, WV, UT, etc.)). |
gas/oil |
R-38 to R-49 |
R-11 to R-22c |
R-25 |
R-11 to R-19 |
|
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heat pump or electric
resistance |
R-49 |
R-11 to R-28c |
R-25 |
R-13 to R-19 |
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b. Insulation is also effective at
reducing cooling bills. These levels assume your house
has electric air-conditioning. |
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c. R-values may be achieved through a
combination of cavity insulation and rigid board
insulation and are for insulation only (not whole wall). |
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d. Do not insulation crawl space walls if
crawl space is wet or ventilated with outdoor air. |
Recommended R-Values in hot,
temperate warm and tropical climates
The recommended values shown below (from the
Australian Goverment
Greenhouse) for Australian climates, are also valid to
temperate-warm and tropical climates in most other countries. Be
aware with the values: they are expressed in the SI rating
system (conversion relation: 1 (SI)/5,67 (non
SI). See, for more details on this issue:
R-Values).
The zero number in the table doesn't mean that no insulation is
needed. It just indicates that insulation to reduce heat loss
may not be needed and can cause overheating in houses without a
proper sun control. In these cases, you should use a type of
insulation able to prevent heat gains without restricting heat
losses. In other words: you should use insulation with high down
r-values and low up r-values.
Note:
In hot climates insulation should prevent heat gains without restricting heat losses,
to avoid overheating. To get it, people use reflective
insulation materials, with high down r-value and a low up r-value.
Up R values - or winter R-values - describe resistance to heat
flow upwards (heat escaping into outdoors through roofs or
walls…);
Down R – or summer R-values - describe resistance to heat flow
downwards (heat entering into the house through roofs or walls…).
|
CLIMATE TYPE AND |
RECOMMENDED INSULATION LEVELS |
|
EXAMPLE LOCATIONS |
(material or system R values) |
|
|
ROOF/CEILING |
WALL |
|
Cool
Temperate & Alpine |
|
Melbourne, Vic |
3.0 |
1.5 |
|
Canberra, ACT |
3.5 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Hobart, Tas |
3.5 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Mt Gambier, SA |
3.0 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Ballarat, Vic |
3.5 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Thredbo, NSW |
4.0 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Hot Humid & Hot Dry |
|
Darwin, NT |
0* -4 |
0* - 2 |
|
Cairns, Qld |
0* -3.5 |
0* - 1.5 |
|
Broome, WA |
0* -4 |
0* - 2 |
|
Marble Bar, WA |
0* -4 |
0* - 2 |
|
Mt Isa, QLD |
0* -4 |
0* - 2 |
|
Tennant Creek, NT |
0* -4 |
0* - 2 |
|
Townsville, QLD |
0* -3.5 |
0* -1.5 |
|
Temperate & Warm Humid |
|
Brisbane, QLD |
1.5 - 2.5 |
1.0 |
|
Perth, WA |
1.5 - 3.0 |
1.5 |
|
Alice Springs, NT |
1.5 - 4.0 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Bourke, NSW |
1.5 - 4.0 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
|
Sydney, NSW |
1.5 - 3.0 |
1.5 |
|
Adelaide, SA |
2.0 - 3.0 |
1.5 |
|
Katoomba, NSW |
4.0 |
1.5 - 2.0 |
Reflective insulation (radiant
barriers)
Reflective insulation - mainly applied in roofs with the goal of
acting as a barrier to sun's heat - is a special case: while
highly advantageous in hot-warm climates, reflective insulation
is often dispensable in cold climates: see
Reflective
Insulation.
See also:
R-value: Insulation
performance
Insulation benefits
Insulation
materials
Cellulose insulation
Fiberglass and Mineral
Wool insulation
Sprayed foam insulation
Insulation
performance
Roof Insulation
Walls Insulation
Basement
insulation
Moisture and
insulation
How to deal with
Insulation contractors and home builders
Insulation tips
Back to top Insulation level and Climate Zones
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