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ENERGY STAR
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  1. Home
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  3. Seal and Insulate With ENERGY STAR
  4. Choosing the Appropriate Insulation Type

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Seal and Insulate

  • Why Seal and Insulate?
  • Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings
  • Program Requirements
  • Choosing the Appropriate Insulation Type
  • Identify the Problems You Want to Fix
  • 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 DIY Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR
  • Rule Your Attic! For Comfort and Savings

Expert Home Improvements

Choosing the Appropriate Insulation Type

The ENERGY STAR program only partners with insulation manufacturers who agree to have their products tested by a third-party certification body. ENERGY STAR certified insulation must also be tested to meet flame resistance requirements to help promote fire safety.

Insulation performance is also highly dependent on the quality of the installation. That is why ENERGY STAR  manufacturer partners must include instructions that clearly explain how to install their products to ensure maximum performance. Instructions also include safety information to protect the health of everyone in your home.

Seal & Insulate with ENERGY STAR logo
Finding certified insulation is easy. Just look for the blue ENERGY STAR mark on products at your local retailer.

When it comes to your project, you have the power to choose the insulation that best suits your needs. The type of insulation you select will often depend on the nature of your project. Different types of insulation require varying degrees of skill for installation, which can help you make an informed decision on whether to hire a contractor or take on the project yourself.

The chart below provides information on the different types of ENERGY STAR certified insulation, which projects they are best suited for, and the relative skill level needed for the average homeowner to install them.

Consumer Seal and Insulate Products Key Products Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Different types of insulation.

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Blanket: Batts and Rolls
Materials
  • Fiberglass
  • Mineral (rock, stone or slag) wool
  • Plastic fibers
  • Natural fibers (cotton, wool)
Best Suited For
  • Unfinished walls, including foundation, basement and crawlspace walls
  • Floors and ceilings
Skill Level Required 
  •  Basic
Foam board or Rigid board
Materials
  • Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)
  • Extruded Polystyrene Foam (XPS)
  • Polyisocyanurate Foam (Polyiso)
  • Mineral (rock, stone, or slag) Wool
Best Suited For
  • Unfinished walls, including foundation, basement and crawlspace walls
  • Floors and ceilings
  • Unvented low-slope roofs
  • Exterior continuous insulation
  • Exterior below grade foundation walls
Skill Level Required 
  • Intermediate
Loose-fill and Blown-in
Materials
  • Cellulose
  • Fiberglass
  • Mineral (rock, stone or slag) wool
Best Suited For
  • Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities
  • Unfinished attic floors
  • Other hard-to-reach places
Skill Level Required 
  • Intermediate
Rigid Fibrous or Fiber Insulation
Materials
  • Fiberglass
  • Mineral (rock, stone or slag) wool
Best Suited For
  • Ducts in unconditioned spaces
  • Other places requiring insulation that can withstand high temperatures
Skill Level Required 
  • Intermediate
Sprayed Foam and Foamed-in-place
Materials
  • Cementitious
  • Phenolic
  • Polyisocyanurate Foam (Polyiso)
Best Suited For
  • Enclosed existing wall
  • Open new wall cavities
  • Unfinished attic floors, attic ceilings
Skill Level Required 
  • Advanced (Certified Installer Needed)

Learn more about different types of insulation on the U.S. Department of Energy website.

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