So you’ve recently had an asbestos removal service for your attic, walls, or basement and now it’s essential to think about what comes next—insulation replacement. Insulation plays a key role in keeping your home energy-efficient, especially in Ottawa and surrounding areas like Stittsville, Kemptville, and Carleton Place.
In this article, we’ll walk you through why insulation replacement is crucial after asbestos removal, how R-value standards have evolved, and why upgrading your insulation could save you money in the long run…
Understanding the basics of R-values is the first step to improving your home’s energy efficiency. An R-value measures how well insulation resists heat flow. Simply put, the higher the R-value, the better your insulation performs at keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is especially important in climates like Ottawa’s where you experience extreme cold and heat throughout the year.
Now, you might be wondering why these R-values change over time. As energy efficiency standards evolve, building codes are updated to reflect the latest best practices. Insulation materials and technologies have improved, allowing for better performance and more energy savings. If your insulation was installed years ago, it might not meet today’s R-value requirements, meaning your home could be losing heat or gaining it in the wrong places, making your HVAC system work harder.
Let’s take a closer look at the R-value standards in Ottawa and nearby regions like Pembroke, Renfrew, and Brockville. These requirements have changed in recent years to reflect the growing emphasis on energy efficiency:
| Current | 2010’s | 1980’s |
| attic | r60 | r50 | r20 |
| exterior walls | r22 | r20 | r10 |
| basement walls | r20 | r12 | r5 |
| windows / doors | varies | r4 | r2 |
Ottawa insulation r-value requirements
The 2017 update introduced higher R-values for areas like attics, which are often responsible for the largest amount of heat loss. If your home still has insulation from before these changes, it likely doesn’t meet today’s energy standards. Upgrading to the current R-values can significantly improve your home’s energy performance, reduce your heating and cooling costs, and ensure you’re compliant with the latest building codes.
When asbestos is removed from your home, the existing insulation often has to be taken out as well. This means that after asbestos abatement, replacing the insulation becomes a necessary next step to restore your home’s energy efficiency. Without proper insulation, you’ll experience more heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, which will drive up your energy bills.
Protip: If you’re not familiar with asbestos removal, we’ve covered this in-depth in our earlier post: Asbestos Removal Services in Ottawa. It’s a must-read if you’re curious about the process and how it affects your home’s safety.
Once asbestos has been safely removed, the next step is choosing the right type of insulation. In Ottawa and surrounding regions, the following types are commonly used:
Each insulation type offers distinct benefits, but for post-asbestos removal work, blown-in cellulose stands out for its cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
Even if your home’s insulation was installed relatively recently, you might still benefit from an insulation top-up.
Over time, insulation can settle, compress, or become less effective. Old insulation can leave your home vulnerable to energy loss, hiking up utility costs.
Here’s why a top-up could be important for you:
At Asbestos in Ottawa, we recommend blown-in cellulose for insulation top-ups and replacements. Why? Blown-in cellulose offers an excellent R-value while being an eco-friendly option made from recycled materials. It’s also great at filling in gaps and voids, providing a more complete and thorough insulation layer compared to batt insulation.
Whether you’ve just had an asbestos removal service and need a full insulation replacement or just require a top-up, blown-in cellulose is cost-effective and highly efficient.
Whether you’ve recently had asbestos removed or are simply looking to upgrade your home’s insulation, meeting modern R-value standards is crucial for saving energy bills and improving comfort. At Asbestos in Ottawa, we specialize in blown-in cellulose insulation, which offers excellent thermal performance and sustainability.
Don’t wait to make your home more energy-efficient. Contact us today for a consultation or to learn more about our insulation services. We’re here to help you make the best choices for your home and budget.