Insulation Inspection – Batts

insulation inspection

When you build your own home, the insulation inspection is going to be very important. Energy efficiency is what new homes are about. Every dollar spent on energy efficiency, will result in energy savings. The checklist provided here is to give you guidance in your energy insulation inspection, with relation to batts insulation, so that you can ensure you have a quality built home that you can enjoy in hot summers and cold winters for many years to come.

• During the insulation inspection, check that each batt has been cut to fit – not stuffed in too small of an opening.
  • Note – Remember insulating efficiency is a function of material thickness and the dead space between fibers. Compressing material reduces its insulation quality.
• Your insulation inspection should include checking the installation of batts in exterior walls where water pipes (hot & cold service) run inside and between stud bays.
  • Ensure the insulating batt is installed between the pipe and the exterior wall sheathing.
  • In situations where pipes are too close to sheathing, split the batt and tuck it behind as best you can.
• Check for batt insulation in the ceiling joist bays under the furnace(s), water heater(s), and beneath all catwalks.
• Check one-story homes with furnace closets during insulation inspection
  • Ensure the insulating batts are installed in surrounding stud bays.
  • Check during the insulation inspection that no batts have been installed across the tops of furnace closets.
• Insulation inspection should also include checking AC return spaces on any outside wall for batt insulation (e.g., can be a wall common with the inside of the garage).
• Check for batt insulation in the joist bays around the attic stair opening (prevents blown insulation from accumulating around & falling out of opening)
• Check for batts at pony walls used to create a transition between ceiling heights. The insulation inspection should ensure exposed batt insulation is secured within each stud bay (must be held in place using some type of strap, netting, wire, or lumber — on the attic side of the wall).
• During insulation inspection, you need to check all water service pipes in garage walls ( and the garage ceiling of one-story homes) are insulated on both sides of each pipe. (Split each batt equally and secure it around each pipe).