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Please be aware that there are several different issues
Insulation with fire safety concern regarding fiberglass versus
cellulose. Fiberglass is not combustible naturally.
In Colorado, adequate insulation is crucial whether According to NAIMA, ―Fiber glass and cellulose perform
your concern is heating or cooling. According to very differently in terms of fire safety. Fiber glass insu-
energysavers.gov, ―Only 20% of the homes built lation is naturally non-combustible because it is made
before 1980 are well insulated.‖ Statewide data from sand and recycled glass. The insulation requires Your community Utility
from the U.S. Census shows that approximately 60% no additional fire-retardant chemical treatments.
of all homes built in Colorado were built before 1980.
Most facings attached to fiber glass insulation are com-
The Alliance to Save Energy evaluated energy costs
bustible and should never be left exposed. Other spe-
in all 50 states in 2007. They determined that ap-
cial flame-resistant facings may be left exposed where
proximately 60% of Colorado home owners’ energy
desired, such as on a basement or crawl space wall.
expenditures go to heating. Although Loveland Wa-
ter and Power does not provide our residents with Cellulose insulation is made primarily of ground-up or
Home Energy Savings
and Do-It-Yourself
natural gas service, which most residents use for shredded newspaper, which is naturally combustible.
heating in conjunction with To protect against fire, cellulose insulation is heavily
their forced air furnace, we treated with fire retardant chemicals. Though cellulose
always want our customers to
able to make educated deci-
is treated with fire retardants, it is not fire proof. This Audit Information
means the insulation could still burn if exposed to a
sions about all their energy
heat source. Also some tests have shown that fire re-
choices.
tardant chemicals can lose their effectiveness over
The Department of Energy’s time.
Energy Efficiency and Renew-
Tests conducted by the California Bureau of Home Fur-
able Energy office recom-
nishings and Thermal Insulation demonstrated that
mends that wood-framed buildings in our climate
most cellulose samples failed the standard fire safety
zone have R-49 in the attic and R-18 in wall cavities
(have insulation blown into any uninsulated exterior test only six months after installation. Smoldering and
wall cavity). The North American Insulation Manu- re-ignition problems present additional concerns with
facturers Association (NAIMA) recommends R-49 in cellulose insulation should a fire start.‖
the attic, but R-21 in exterior walls.
This information was verified with the Loveland Fire
There are several different types of insulation. Also, Department. Please consider these factors when mak-
please refer to the separate table containing infor- ing your decisions about insulation.
mation about the uses of each insulation type from
the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office.
Fiberglass – available in blanket/batt or loose/blown
form Graphic courtesy of ENERGY STAR®
Cellulose – according to coloradoenergy.org, blown
cellulose has a higher R value per inch than blown
Information Provided by: Loveland Water and Power is proud to be an ENERGY
fiberglass
Loveland Water and Power— Resource Efficiency Program STAR partner.
Rigid Foam Board – potential fire concerns with
toxic fumes in the event of a home fire
Susan Pascoe
Spray Foam Resource Efficiency Coordinator
Service Center
Reflective Insulation/Radiant Barrier – ideal for 200 N Wilson Ave
areas where cooling is the major concern Loveland CO 80537
970-962-3566
pascos@ci.loveland.co.us
Loveland Water and Power’s Home Energy Cheat Sheet
For customers interested in improving the efficiency Water 3. Consider ENERGY STAR qualified windows if you
of their home, we have many resources available decide to replace your existing windows.
online at http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/wp/power/ Consider xeriscaping for some areas of your yard.
Conservation/main.htm. From here you can navi-
The doors and windows in your home are a source of
gate to web pages with links to other resources on Think about composting rather than using your garbage
the internet. You can also find information about thermal exchange. These areas are not as insulated
disposal.
home energy audits as well as a list of contractors as your walls, plus they are meant to open and allow
that will conduct home energy audits in Loveland. air movement. However, there are a few easy things
Ensure that your toilets are not leaking by getting your
you can do to increase your home’s efficiency.
Please note that the Utility does not recommend or free dye tabs from the Utility Billing office or pick them up
endorse any of the companies listed. The informa- at the Service Center.
tion is provided solely as a starting point for custom-
ers’ own research efforts.
Evaluate replacing your old toilets, especially those in-
stalled prior to 1980. Today’s toilets only use a maxi-
Also, if you do not have
access to the internet, here mum of 1.6 gallons per flush.
are some suggestions ad-
dressed by category. Consider a front-loading ENERGY STAR qualified clothes
washer when you need to replace your existing machine.
Remember that for residential customers, your water use
Energy affects not only your water bill but your sewer bill too!
Change out your high-use incandescent light bulbs to Taking steps to save water will save you on both bills.
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Note that (Note that sewer bills are calculated on the average of a
CFLs are not appropriate for all uses, in particular, few winter months use to account for indoor vs. outdoor
avoid CFLs in motion sensors, garage door openers use. Therefore, you may not need an immediate change
or any application that is turned off and on a great on your sewer bill.)
deal. - Use weather stripping to seal air leaks around win-
Home Envelope dows and doors.
Properly maintain your home’s heating and cooling - Caulk around windows and where two different types
There are two main areas of concern with regard to a
system. Change the filter regularly to help the sys- of siding meet, such as where brick meets wood or
home envelope. One is fenestration, more commonly
tem run efficiently. siding.
known as doors, windows and skylights. The other is
- Consider adding storm windows.
insulation. There are three main things that a home
When it’s time to replace any electric appliance, - Replace old windows and glass doors.
owner can do to help save money by looking at the fac-
chose an ENERGY STAR qualified one, if possible.
tors in their home’s envelope. It is important to keep in mind that you do not want
ENERGY STAR has programs for the following:
your home shut up too tight due to concerns about
Clothes Washers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Room
1. Seal air leaks. You can check for drafts by using a indoor air quality. But, many homes should have
Air Conditioners, Ceiling Fans, Central Air Condition-
candle or lit incense stick in front of switch plates, out- weather stripping and caulking added at a minimum.
ing, Furnaces.
lets, etc. (Please be careful with the candle flame and Many times, these small and relatively inexpensive
wax.) Use weather stripping, caulking, spray foam and actions will bring a great deal more comfort by elimi-
Turn off your home computer and monitor when not
foam gaskets (for outlets and switchplates) to seal up nating drafts that cause undesirable temperature
in use and enable power-saving features.
areas where air is penetrating. variations in specific rooms or areas of a home. The
Lower your water heater thermostat to 120°. monetary savings from lower heating and cooling
2. Add insulation. See additional information page about costs will also add up over time.
insulation choices.
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