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What is the safest insulator?

Stay Warm and Safe with 4 Types of Green Insulation Polyurethane Foam. Polyurethane, a durable polymer with numerous uses, is made into a foam for home insulation. ... Icynene. Imagine a material that expands to almost 10 times its initial volume and stops air in its tracks. ... Cellulose. ... Sheep's Wool.

popularmechanics.com - Stay Warm and Safe with 4 Types of Green Insulation - Popular Mechanics
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Winter is bringing a blast of cold and chill to you and your home. Luckily, well-placed insulation can prevent the frigid air from getting into the house through your garage and windows. Insulation has typically been made from fiberglass, but because this has been linked to health issues such as respiratory problems, some builders have moved on to less dangerous options. These safer forms of insulation come with another benefit: high R-value (the rating used by the Department of Energy to indicate insulation's resistance to heat flow). Good insulation should keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and a green material will make your home both comfortable and eco-friendly. If you're not sure which type of insulation is right for your home, visit the Department of Energy's page for more information and guidance.

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane, a durable polymer with numerous uses, is made into a foam for home insulation. As an insulator, it provides ample heat resistance; its R-value of 5 to 6 per inch of thickness makes it a good choice for basement walls and attics. Some polyurethane foams are made from soil or vegetable oil, too, as opposed to petroluem. Plus, the material's rigidity can enhance a home's overall structural integrity. In newer homes or additions, one of the most recommended options for insulation are structural insulated panels (SIPs): polyurethane foam sandwiched between two boards- (typically, oriented strand board, though sheet metals and plywood are also used).

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Icynene

Imagine a material that expands to almost 10 times its initial volume and stops air in its tracks. That's icynene. Used as a water-based foam insulation to fill the cavities of a home, icynene resembles whipped cream when it's installed. In addition to trapping air, however, it may also capture some moisture. That's why most builders also have to install a ventilation and air exchange system. Icynene's R-value ranges up to 3.7 per inch, which is sustainable over time and solid enough to serve as a noise buffer. While it keeps the heat in and the cold out, icynene is a delicate material that requires professional handling.

Cellulose

Mainly made from recycled newspaper, cellulose is arguably the granddaddy of green insulation. With an R-value similar to fiberglass (near 3.5 per inch), cellulose-—either blown or sprayed—features the same benefits as fiberglass without the cons such as formaldehyde and potentially harmful fire retardants. It also provides tougher resistance against air leaks, and is one of the less expensive green insulation options on the market.

Sheep's Wool

Who keeps warm in the winter better than sheep? Sheep's wool is one of the most natural and renewable resources around. As it captures air, the wool retains its breathability. With an R-value of up to 4, sheep's wool insulation is fire-resistant and robustly retains heat while also taking on moisture, limiting condensation. And unlike icynene, it doesn't require protective gear to install, making it a DIY favorite. Over time, while other insulation materials clump and settle, wool expands and absorbs damaging chemicals that could be lurking between walls.

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What are the two best insulators?

Plastics and rubber are usually good insulators. It is for this reason that electrical wires are coated to make them more safe to handle. Metals, on the other hand, usually make good conductors. In fact, copper is used in most electrical wires and circuit boards for this reason.

teachengineering.org - What Is the Best Insulator: Air, Styrofoam, Foil or Cotton? - Activity

Do you agree with this alignment? Thanks for your feedback!

4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. (Grade 4) Make observations to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of a phenomenon or test a design solution. Alignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects or through sound, light, or electric currents. Alignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat. When objects collide, energy can be transferred from one object to another, thereby changing their motion. In such collisions, some energy is typically also transferred to the surrounding air; as a result, the air gets heated and sound is produced. Alignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Light also transfers energy from place to place. Alignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Energy can also be transferred from place to place by electric currents, which can then be used locally to produce motion, sound, heat, or light. The currents may have been produced to begin with by transforming the energy of motion into electrical energy. Alignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback!

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