Is Crawl Space Insulation Needed for Encapsulation

Is your crawl space really as energy efficient as it could be? Michael Church from Crawl Space Ninja is here to challenge common misconceptions about crawl space insulation and provide you with the facts you need. This episode cuts through the noise to debunk the myth that vapor barriers alone are enough to insulate your crawl space. Michael explains why proper insulation is essential for meeting code requirements and maintaining energy efficiency, particularly in southern regions. He also emphasizes the importance of achieving an R-value of R10 on foundation walls and R19 on subfloors, ensuring that your home remains both comfortable and energy efficient.

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Michael also guides you through the differences between insulating the foundation wall versus the subfloor, depending on whether your crawl space is encapsulated or ventilated. With his expert insights, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions about your crawl space encapsulation, avoiding costly mistakes that could compromise your home's performance. Don't miss this episode packed with critical information to help you achieve a well-sealed and insulated crawl space, ensuring a healthier and more energy-efficient home for you and your family.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey, michael Church, crawl Space Ninja, continuing that Crawl Space Misconception series, and today I want to talk to you about is insulation required or needed if you're encapsulating the crawl space? Whenever we're going out to do an inspection on a crawl space, many times the topic of insulation comes up. We like to insulate and air seal crawl spaces. But some of our competition out there in order to try to save money to the consumer or to the homeowner and make themselves look better on price, is they will completely eliminate the need for insulation in the crawl space, saying that the vapor barrier becomes the insulation. So if you've got a crawl space contractor or salesperson in your home telling you that the vapor barrier will properly insulate the crawl space, that salesperson in your home telling you that the vapor barrier will properly insulate the crawl space, that just is not true. As a matter of fact, code requirements and the Department of Energy requirements are, especially in the south you have to have an R value of R10 on the foundation wall minimum.

Speaker 1: 1:02

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Speaker 1: 1:42

Or an R value of R19 in the subfloor minimum. So if they created those R values and those minimums, depending on the south and the region that we're in, then the vapor barrier meets neither of those minimums. If you install a vapor barrier on the foundation wall, it probably doesn't even have an R value, although some may argue it has a little bit, just because of its thickness. So you want to make sure that if you're encapsulating the crawl space, if you're sealing the crawl space, you can insulate the foundation wall. If you are having an open or ventilated crawl space, then you need to insulate the subfloor and we've done several videos about why and the code requirements for each of those and you can check those out on our channel. But I just want to make sure you understand if you're going to encapsulate the crawl space, make sure insulation is part of the encapsulation. I'm Michael Church Crawl Space Ninja. Hope you make it a happy and blessed day and we'll see you later.