Recommended Home Insulation R– Values | ENERGY STAR

Insulation R-value is the ability to resist heat. Recommended R-values vary with geography.

Insulation level are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost-effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Zone	Add Insulation to Attic		Floor
Zone	Uninsulated Attic	Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation	Floor
1	R30 to R49	R25 to R30	R13
2	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R13 to R19
3	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R19 to R25
4	R38 to R60	R38	R25 to R30
5 to 8	R49 to R60	R38 to R49	R25 to R30
Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an Uninsulated wood-frame wall: Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before installing the new siding, and Zones 3–4: Add R5 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding Zones 5–8: Add R5 to R6 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding. Insulated wood-frame wall: For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.

Yudah Schwartz

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