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Home » Energy Savings at Home » Seal & Insulate » Identify the Problems You Want to Fix » What to Look For: DIY Checks and Inspections » Recommended Home Insulation R–Values

Energy Savings at Home

Advice, tools, resources and inspiration to help you save energy

Recommended Home Insulation R–Values

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.

Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood-framed buildings

US map showing recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood-framed buildings

Zone
Add Insulation to Attic
Floor
Uninsulated Attic
Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation
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.

OR

Insulated wood-frame wall:

  • For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.

Seal & Insulate

  • Why Seal and Insulate?
  • Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings
  • Look for ENERGY STAR Certified Insulation
  • Identify the Problems You Want to Fix
    • What to Look For: DIY Checks and Inspections
      • Recommended Home Insulation R–Values
  • Determine the Effort Required
  • Assess the Level of Opportunity
  • Attic Air Sealing Project
  • Attic Insulation Project
  • Basement & Crawlspace Air Sealing and Insulating Project
  • Sealing Behind Window & Door Trim Project
  • Applying Plastic Over Windows Project
  • A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR
  • Rule Your Attic! For Comfort and Savings

rule your attic

Learn how to take action today and Rule Your Attic! with ENERGY STAR.

Resources

  • Seal and Insulate DIY Guide (PDF, 12.8 MB)
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