Insulation is a major part of the Greening process, and it has been a "hot issue" for home and building owners.  Thermal pictures of most buildings will show how much heat is lost through poor construction. 50–70% of the energy consumed in an average American home is for heating and cooling. Nearly half of existing homes in this country were not built recommended levels of insulation by today's standards.  Insulating a home of building is an easy way to improve your personal comfort, save money this winter, and help conserve energy.

The question may be how to add that needed insulation. If your building has no wall insulation, try blowing in insulation through drilled holes between the studs.  These holes are easily plugged later.  Also, if you don’t have insulation in your ceiling/attic, it is also a good idea to add insulation there to keep heat from flowing into and out of your home via the roof.  Look for attic entry areas and check out the amount of insulation in place.  Adding insulation is like adding another blanket to your bed.

Insulation is rated by its R-value or thermal resistance.  The higher the R-value, the greater the energy efficiency. R-value depends on the material, thickness, and density.  Fiberglass, cellulose and foam insulation are all popular types and you can buy them with various R-values. You will find that some insulation is made of recycled materials like shredded newspaper, (aka cellulose).  Do some research on other ways to insulate your building because there are some pretty amazing ideas out there.

The most common type of insulation to use is blankets or rolls of fiberglass or rock wool.  These rolls are cut to fit between the studs and or spread enough to cover the area in a pink blanket of soft fiberglass.  Cut to fit around pipe and obstructions.

There are forms of sprayed on insulation that covers the area with a tough foam, but be careful to avoid any formaldehyde in the ingredients.  In fact, make sure of everything in the sprayed on products that may have long term health affects.

Don't forget to try the plastic insulation sheets for windows.  While they are a plastic product, the small amount of plastic may be equal to a few discarded water bottles, and the savings versus cost is very simple.  Using a blow drier to shrink the plastic leave an invisible shield that really cuts the heat loss of your biggest heat radiator.

While you're at it, put an insulation wrapper on your water heater and dial it down to a level that allows normal use.  This is another do-it-yourself idea that will save you big money this winter.

Finally, do some research about tax incentive that you may receive from these ideas.  A few dollars in savings and a few more on your tax bill may make staying warm a little easier this year.

If you are business wishing to earn your Green Business certification, contact a certified Green Consultant in your area.  Prove your concern for your community by earning your Green Business certification.  Find out more at Green Business League and Green Consultant training.