Carpeting can add character and comfort to your floors. Did you also know that it can save you money? Carpet is an excellent source of insulation, which can save you money on your energy bill by increasing your home’s ability to retain warm and cool air.

At Dr. Chem-Dry Carpet & Tile Cleaning, we know all about the insulating benefits of carpeting. If you’re wondering how carpet can help you save energy, read on and find out which type of carpet is best for your home.

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R-value

Carpet is a natural insulator. No other flooring option is as effective as carpeting when it comes to keeping your energy costs down. But not all carpets are created equal. Their insulating power can vary depending on the R-value of the carpet’s padding.

R-value is the insulation level of the carpet. It represents the amount of thermal resistance the material offers. R value measures how much of the material resists the movement of heat through a wall, floor, or ceiling in a building. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

Urethane Padding

Carpets with urethane padding have the highest R-value between all the other padding choices. Their R-value ranges from 1.05 to 2.15, based on the thickness of the pad. The downside is that urethane isn’t very dense, so it does not hold up well to heavy foot traffic. This is ideal for bedrooms and other areas with minimal traffic.

Rubber Padding

Rubber padding is the opposite of urethan in many respects. While it has the lowest R-value rating among padding options, it is very dense. It’s a perfect padding for areas with high foot traffic, like living rooms or hallways.

Fiber Padding

Fiber padding is composed of hair or plant fibers. This makes it fairly sturdy and gives it a decent range of R-values. Fiber varies between 0.97 to 1.94. It offers a good balance of carpet support AND warm & cool air retention.

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Want to find out more about our carpet cleaning services? Give Dr. Chem-Dry Carpet & Tile Cleaning a call at 602-243-6379.