Unless you live in a tropical climate, there will be times that you need to make your home warmer than the exterior temperature would normally allow. While it is important to choose environmentally friendly heating methods for your home such as solar energy or biomass heating systems, it is also important for you to keep that heat inside your home. Your fuel usage will be much lower and your heating bills will as well.

Some insulation is made from synthetic materials. While they can be quite effective at preventing heat loss, their production may release waste products that can harm the environment. There are insulating products that are made from environmentally friendly materials. It is up to you to learn more about them and choose the ones that will work best for your home.

How insulation works to keep your home at a steady temperature

All insulation works in essentially the same way: by trapping air. Heated air cannot move through insulation and so remains inside your home. As a result, your home stays warmer longer than it would if there was no insulation in place. Because moisture can also collect where warmer, moist air meets cooler walls, a proper amount of insulation can also help to protect against the growth of mold or other harmful elements that may flourish in dark, damp conditions.

Insulation tends to come in one of several different forms. Batt insulation is usually made of spun fibers that trap the air. Blown insulation consists of smaller pieces of insulation that are blown into cavities in walls or into attic spaces in your home. Foam insulation tends to be piped into an area. It will harden and prevent treated air from escaping, thereby keeping the internal temperature at a more consistent level.

Natural insulating materials

In the past, the majority of insulation was made from synthetic materials such as fiberglass. Mineral wool was also often used to insulate homes but mineral wool is also synthetic and may create pollutants when it is being produced. The following materials are all natural alternatives that you may want to consider for your home:

• Warmcel. This material is fiber based and is a great substitute for mineral and fiberglass woll insulation

• Thermafleece is a product made from sheep wool. It can absorb moisture when placed into a home. It also requires very little energy to produce and is a great environmentally friendly alternative

• Eco-Wool. This material is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. It also can be used in many of the same areas that other synthetic wool insulation has been placed

A qualified builder should be able to look at available options and help you choose the one that is right for your home.