Another energy conscious renovation homeowners can implement doesn t exist inside of the home but surrounds the home itself.
House has vynil siding and is not energy efficebnt.
The truth is no standard siding material offers very good efficiency.
Contoured insulation that is permanently adhered to vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding without insulation has an r value of 0 67.
It creates a durable seal around your home keeping your air from escaping.
Insulated vinyl siding vinyl backed with foam insulation bonded permanently to the siding panels carries an r value from 2 to 5.
Once vinyl siding is installed the effect of light and shadows and proportion is lost.
The energy efficiency for building materials is known as r value.
That said however definite differences exist among the various types of cladding.
Traditional vinyl siding has an r value of about 0 61 nearly five times as efficient.
Insulation is typically measured in r values.
Similar to blown in insulation insulated vinyl siding provides r value for improved energy efficiency.
And just like flat insulating sheathings and fanfolds insulated siding also levels the wall for a better looking siding job.
There are many benefits as well as several disadvantages to choosing insulated vinyl siding much related to its energy efficiency.
A look that the house was not designed to have.
Siding made with vinyl might not be as thick as some other materials but this material is particularly airtight.
For instance while a brick veneer will only get you an r value of around 0 11 vinyl siding typically has a measurement of 0 61.
It looks clean and new but the details decorative seams buttons or tacks and individual cushions that create shadows are gone.
Here s a breakdown of some of the energy efficient replacement siding options.
Specifically here s how the different types stack up.
In fact that is code in many areas.
Better insulation more savings.
And you ll notice we just used the word traditional there are better options.
So it s definitely not the most protective part of your home s exterior.
Wood siding has a rugged classic look that s desirable for many homeowners but it is recyclable.
Compared to most other exterior materials siding made of vinyl is far more efficient.
You have to take into account things like maintenance durability and insulation to determine which siding will truly offer the best energy performance.
This is negligible however as a fully insulated exterior should have an r value of 13.
With no insulation behind either material wood siding is slightly more energy efficient having an r value of 0 81 to 0 87.
According to the irs instructions for form 5695 residential energy credits the nonbusiness energy property credit is available for any insulation material or system that is specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of your home however a component is not specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of your home if it provides structural.
The higher the r value the more efficient the building material is.