Cellulose Insulation

What it is One of the Polymers found in nature One of the Polymers found in nature Made of repeat units of the monomer glucose Made of repeat units of the monomer glucose Wood, cotton, and hemp rope are all made of fibrous cellulose Wood, cotton, and hemp rope are all made of fibrous cellulose used to make some of the first synthetic polymers used to make some of the first synthetic polymers

Benefits Made from 75% recycled material, mainly newspaper Made from 75% recycled material, mainly newspaper Production of Cellulose Insulation requires less energy then Fiberglass Production of Cellulose Insulation requires less energy then Fiberglass Made from gas fired furnaces Made from gas fired furnaces The “embodied energy” is much lower per “R” value then other insulations – wood mills The “embodied energy” is much lower per “R” value then other insulations – wood mills Other material times more embodied energy Other material times more embodied energy Safer by slowing the spread of fire 22 to 55% resistance Safer by slowing the spread of fire 22 to 55% resistance R-3.6 to 3.8 per inch –better then other materials R-3.6 to 3.8 per inch –better then other materials Fiberglass R- 3.1 Fiberglass R- 3.1

Cellulose vs. Fiberglass Study done by CU researchers Study done by CU researchers 36 to 38% tighter 36 to 38% tighter In 9 hr- The Cellulose house was 7 degrees warmer In 9 hr- The Cellulose house was 7 degrees warmer 3 weeks- used 26.4% less energy 3 weeks- used 26.4% less energy 20 to 40% less energy 20 to 40% less energy Cellulose take on almost liquid properties Cellulose take on almost liquid properties Fill in gaps easily Fill in gaps easily Due to air circulation Fiberglass insulation decreases by 50% as temp drops from 45 to 18 F Due to air circulation Fiberglass insulation decreases by 50% as temp drops from 45 to 18 F Blown in is more expansive – $1,000-2,000 then fiberglass Blown in is more expansive – $1,000-2,000 then fiberglass