Installing insulation is vital component in any home in order for the home to become energy efficient. But what does that mean? According to Wikipedia: Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home it to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature.

So what are the different types of insulation you should use when building your own home? Not all insulation is the same and there are different types of insulation for different applications.

1. Fiberglass or Blow-In Insulation

This type of insulation can conform to fit nearly any type of location in the home and is ideal for attics and other hard-to-reach areas.

2. Blanket Batts and Rolls

Blanket batts and rolls are typically constructed with fiberglass, although some are made of cotton, mineral wool and plastic fibers. This type of insulation is cut and designed to fit into areas such as wall studs, attic rafter and floor joists.

3. Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is designed to seal leads and gaps inside existing walls, doors, windows and vents. It is sprayed into the wall where is expands and hardens into a solid foam.

4. Foam Board

Foam boards work well to insulate everything from foundation walls and basement walls to unfinished floors and ceilings. These boards help to reduce heat coming through wood and steel studs.

5. Vapor Barriers

This type of insulation is most commonly used when framing the exterior walls of a house. House wrap is an example of a vapor barrier that helps control the amount of moisture that passes through the insulation.

Having an home that is properly insulated will save you money on your energy bills. The EPA estimates that the average homeowner can save 15% on heating and cooling costs (11% of total energy costs) by adding insulation in attics, crawl spaces, and basement rim joists. For most folks, that’s about $200 in savings per year. Be sure to ask your home builder what type of insulation they use when building their homes.