How to Choose Earth Friendly Insulation?Thermal building insulation is used on most modern homes, as a way to increase thermal comfort and decrease the energy demands of heating and cooling systems. While thermal insulation has been used for a long time, there is a growing demand for natural and Earth friendly insulation products around the world. Some examples of natural thermal building insulation include greensulate, wool, and paper. There is also an entire method of natural insulation known as Earth sheltering insulation, where a home is covered in some earth and vegetation to allow for a natural insulation process to take place. A variation of this method is even used today on apartments and skyscrapers in the form of roof-top gardens.
How Does Insulation Work?Insulation is designed to reduce the rate of heat transfer within a building or structure, either by conduction, convection, or radiation. While there are distinct differences to how each of these methods works, thermal insulation basically works be either preventing heat from escaping an area or keeping it from entering an area. Because of this, insulation is able to keep interior environments both cool during summer and warm during winter. A number of popular thermal insulation materials are not only bad for the environment, but also bad for individuals that come in contact with them. Perhaps the best known example is Asbestos, a material that was once very popular but is now condemned around the world. |
