Sustainable Insulation Products

• Skip the fiberglass insulation for something more eco-sustainable. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  If you suspect your home could be more energy efficient, adding the proper insulation may be the answer. Effective insulation lowers your energy bills and makes your abode more comfy. Instead of simply looking for the insulation that will keep your house the warmest or coolest, consider its environmental sustainability. Green insulation products can be just as effective, if not more, than conventional options.

Paper Insulation

• Instead of buying that itchy fiberglass insulation, fortify your home with paper insulation instead. The product is sold as a mixture of recycled paper products. It has no formaldehyde or asbestos and is resistant to fire and fungus. You can opt for this kind of insulation whether you're building, renovating or re-insulating a building. As of 2010, this product has used 3 million tons of paper. According to Earth 911, it has also saved 3.6 million tons of greenhouse emissions from being put into the air. The insulation is manufactured with 10 times less energy than are other insulation.

Wool Insulation

• Wool provides a natural, renewable source material for insulation. It's already flame resistant in its natural state. The downside is that it's subject to insect damage, moths being the typical culprit. To keep insects from munching on the insulation, it's sprayed with boron, a naturally occurring substance not known to be a carcinogen.

Cellulose Insulation

• Cellulose insulation is comprised of 80 percent recycled newspaper or corrugation cardboard. Its bonding chemicals don't have formaldehyde, either. It is sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals to meet safety standards. Cellulose is comparable to wool insulation but typically a more affordable choice. It comes in several types including loose-fill, stabilized and wall-cavity spray.

  Loose fill is used in attics and inside walls. After an interior wall is in place, the insulation is blown through access holes into the walls, or it's put in a retaining membrane or net system. It's important that loose fill not come into contact with any lighting fixtures.

  Stabilized cellulose has a moisture additive and binder and is used in attics. Since it's more dense than loose fill, builders can go through less of it. However, the additives may be less than eco-friendly.

  Wall-cavity spray is used for walls. It also has a moisture substance, up to 10 percent.The wall cavities cannot be closed before installing this kind of insulation. It's also an inexpensive option because it takes less skill to apply.