Environmentally Friendly Insulation Products

Insulating your home is an effective way to cut heating costs, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Unfortunately, common insulation products, such as fiberglass and vermiculite, are toxic to the environment and often contain harmful additives, such as formaldehyde and asbestos, which can aggravate allergies and cause lung damage in humans and pets. Environmentally friendly alternatives may cost a little extra, but the benefits to human and environmental health are worth it.

Cellulose Insulation

• Recycled cellulose fiber, made from recycled newspaper, wood pulp and/or cardboard, provides better insulation than fiberglass, so the money you'll save on heating makes up for its higher cost. Cellulose is treated with boric acid to make it flame retardant and repellent to mice and bugs, and provides a barrier against external sounds. Cellulose insulation takes little energy to produce, and is available as blow-in or spray.

Cotton Insulation

• Cotton insulation is made from 75 to 80 percent recycled blue jeans and other cotton products, and is similar to cellulose insulation in that it is treated with boric acid to prevent fires and repel unwanted pests. Unlike the loose cellulose insulation, however, cotton insulation comes in a roll, making it neater and easier to handle.

Sheep's Wool Insulation

• Sheep's wool is a highly desirable insulation as it lasts a long time, is reusable, blocks noise, can be produced with less energy than other insulation products, works in a moist environment and can be composted. Lanolin is stripped from the wool before it is made into insulation, and some varieties are treated with boric acid to repel insects and vermin and make it flame retardant.