Which Thickness Of Insulation Will Hold In The Most Amount Of Heat?

By: Naomi R.

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to show why people prefer proper insulation in their house. I became interested in this project when I found out how warm our new house is in the winter and why. The information gained from this experiment will let people know why a properly insulated house is a necessity for comfort and money saving.

My hypothesis is that the five-inch thick insulation will withhold more heat in the cold weather environment, thus costing less money spent on heat bills; and more comfort in the long run. I based my hypothesis on the information that I received from a man who works in an insulation company, Roger Berg. He said, "The more insulation the better, but not too much."

The constants in this study are:

* The heat provided by the light bulb (100 watt)
* the cold on the outside of the box provided by a chest freezer
* the brand and type of insulation used
* the same box used each time
* the same two thermometers
* stop watch
* the times checked (every fifteen minutes)

The manipulated variable would be the thickness of the insulation.

The responding variable would be how much heat is transferred through the insulation.

To measure the responding variable I used two digital thermometers, and measured the temperature of the inside of the box and the freezer in degrees Celsius.

What can be learned from my results is that the thicker the insulation the more hear it keeps in and for a longer period of time. Also that the thicker the insulation the warmer the room/house is.

The results from this experiment concluded that my hypothesis should be accepted. The 5in thick insulation kept in the most heat. After seeing the results of my experiment I wonder if the results would be the same if I did more trials, and let the trials run longer. Some possible sources of error may be that the insulation could have been smashed. It is also a possibility that the insulation could have had some moisture trapped in it. Therefore the results may not have been completely accurate. If I were to do this experiment again then I would measure how hot the heat source got, and if the temperature stayed constant. Then I would use the correct size of wood to represent he walls. I would to this because with certain thickness and types of insulation you should have certain sizes of wood for it to work right and be more accurate.

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to show why people prefer proper insulation in their house. I became interested in this project when I found out how warm our new house is in the winter and why. The information gained from this experiment will let people know why a properly insulated house is a necessity for comfort and money saving.

The constants in this study are:

* The heat provided by the light bulb (100 watt)
* the cold on the outside of the box provided by a chest freezer
* the brand and type of insulation used
* the same box used each time
* the same two thermometers
* stop watch
* the times checked (every fifteen minutes)

The manipulated variable would be the thickness of the insulation.

The responding variable would be how much heat is transferred through the insulation.

To measure the responding variable I used  two digital thermometers, and measured the temperature of the inside of the box and the freezer in degrees Celsius.

Materials

Screws                                 46
Extension cord                      3
Light bulb                             1 100 watt
Light socket                          1
Plywood sheets                      2  4’x8’
Digital thermometer              2
Screw driver                        1
Chest freezer                       1
    2ft x 2ft 4 in
Wire clips                            2
Rubber gloves                       8 pairs
Fiberglass Insulation sheet     1  10’x3’x3 1/2"
Fiberglass Insulation sheet     1  10’x3’x5 1/2"

Procedures

1. To make the box that represents a house.
2. First cut three pieces of  plywood into a 21 in. x 21in. slab.
3. Next cut two pieces of  plywood into a 21 in. x 19 1 /2in. slab.
4. Now cut one piece of  plywood to a 19 1/2in. x19 1/2 in. slab.
5. Now take two of the 21in x 21in pieces and both the 21in x 19 1/2; in pieces and set them in a square with the like measurements parallel from each other.
6. Now use 28 screws and with the screwdriver screw the sides together as a square.
7. Now to make another box that will be on the inside of the first one it will represent a room in a house. It will be five inches away from the box on the inside. Cut two pieces of plywood into a 9 1/2; in x 16 in slab.
8. Cut two more pieces of plywood to an 8 in x 16 in slab.
9. Now do the same as before and put them into a square the like measurements parallel from each other.
10.  Use 16 screws and screw the pieces together.
11.  Now make another box that will also be on the inside of the first one which will represent another room. This one will be three inches away from the box on the inside. Cut two pieces of plywood into a 131/2; in. x 16in. slab.
12.  Cut two more pieces of plywood into a 12 in. x 16in. slab.
13.  Now take the pieces of wood and set them in a square with like sides parallel form each other, and use eight screws and screw the pieces together.
14.  First start with no insulation in the box for the first part of the experiment put the box with the small inner box in it into the freezer.
15.  Turn the light on. Record the temperature every fifteen minutes until it reaches a constant temperature.
16. Then once it has reached a constant temperature, turn the light off and measure the temperature of the inside of the box every fifteen minutes. And be sure that the lid of the box is on all the way, along with the lid of the freezer that way the heat and/or cold will not escape. This will show how long it takes for all the heat in the box to escape.
17.  Do steps 15 and 16 twice, once for each trial.
18.  Now for the second step of the experiment put the 3 1/2" thick insulation in the box between the walls. And repeat steps 15,16, and 17.
19.  After the second part of the experiment is done take out the insulation and put in the bigger inner box and then put the 5 1/2; thick insulation between the walls and continue with steps 15, 16, and 17.
20.   After all of the steps are done make sure that the light is unplugged, and the insulation is properly taken care of.

Research Report

INTRODUCTION

Which would you prefer high electricity bills, or a properly insulated home? In this report it will tell all about types of insulation, and what they are used for. Insulation is a restriction of heat, sound or electricity within a specific area. The term is also referred to as a material that is used to block the flow of heat, coldness, and/or sound.

INSULATION

Insulation stops the natural movement of heat. Heat moves from a warmer spot to a cooler one, by conduction, convection, and radiation. Insulation for the whole purpose of blocking the transfer of heat and cold, also sound. There are many types of insulation some are Batts and Blankets, Loose-fill insulation, Cellular plastics, Rigid insulation, and Reflective insulation. Just about all insulation needs a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from penetrating the insulation. A vapor barrier can be a sheet, foil, plastic, or treated paper; it must be on the side that faces the heat.

**Batts and Blankets
Batts and blankets are soft and flexible units made of fiberglass and rock wool fibers. The manufacturer cuts Batts to the certain sizes. Blankets are sold in long sections that can be cut to any size during installation. Batts and blankets are used between the beams that support the floor and ceiling, and between wall studs.

**Loose-fill insulation
Loose-fill insulation consists of short fibers of cellulose, fiberglass, perlite, rock wool, or vermiculite. It can be blown or poured into attics. It is put in the interior and exterior walls by blowing it through small holes in one of the walls.

**Cellular plastics
Cellular plastics are used to make plastic foam boards, which can be attached to a finished wall. The plastic can also be used to make foam insulation.

**Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a form of fine fibers. The fibers may be thinner than a human hair, and may look or feel like silk. The flexible glass fibers are stronger than steel and will not burn, rot, or fade. Fiberglass textiles are used for air filters, and for heat and sound insulation. Fiberglass is made form sand and other raw materials used to make ordinary glass.

**Rigid insulation
Rigid insulation boards are made from material somewhat like fiberglass, gypsum, and perlite. These can be attached to ceilings, walls and the roof.

**Reflective insulation
Reflective insulation is made of thin sheets of aluminum foil. The sheets are arranged in layers, and they are separated by spaces that trap warm air. It is used between joists and between wall studs.

TEMPERATURE

The concept of temperature comes from the measuring of hotness and coldness, and from the observation that the addition of heat to a body leads to an increase in temperature. The sensation of warmth or coldness of a substance causes temperature. Temperature depends on the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance, and according to the kinetic theory energy may exist in rotational, vibrational, and translational motions of the particles of a substance. Temperature depends on the translational molecular motion. The most common ways of measuring temperature are in Celsius, and Fahrenheit. Celsius has a freezing point of 0°C and a boiling point of 100°C. Celsius is the scientific way of reading the temperature of something. The other Fahrenheit has a freezing point of 32°F and the boiling point of 212°F. Fahrenheit is normally used in English-speaking countries for the purposes other than scientific work based on a mercury thermometer.

HEAT

The heat measure or capacity of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance one-degree is known as specific heat.
Heat flows from a warm area to a cooler one by the means of conduction, convection, and radiation. There are a number of physical changes that go on with the change of temperature of a substance. For example most substances expand in volume when heated and contract when cooled. There are also many ways to transfer heat between bodies, they are by radiation, conduction, and motion of matter which is called convection. Conduction requires physical contact between the bodies or portions of bodies exchanging heat. Radiation does not require contact of the presence of any matter between the bodies. Convection occurs when a liquid or gas in contact with a solid body at a different temperature, and is normally accompanied by the motion of the liquid or gas.
 

Results

The purpose of this experiment was to see which thickness of insulation held in the a most heat. From the data gathered during the experiment the 5 ½ in thick insulation held in the higher amount heat for a longer period of time. The 3 ½ in insulation was next and then without insulation.

DATA TABLE

Conclusion

What can be learned from my results is that the thicker the insulation the more hear it keeps in and for a longer period of time. Also that the thicker the insulation the warmer the room/house is. The results from this experiment concluded that my hypothesis should be accepted. The 5in thick
insulation kept in the most heat. After seeing the results of my experiment I wonder if the results would be the same if I did more trials, and let the trials run longer. Some possible sources of error may be that the insulation could have been smashed. It is also a possibility that the insulation could have had some moisture trapped in it. Therefore the results may not have been completely accurate. If I were to do this experiment again then I would measure how hot the heat source got, and if the temperature stayed constant. Then I would use the correct size of wood to represent he walls. I would to this because with certain thickness and types of insulation you should have certain sizes of wood for it to work right and be more accurate.

Bibliography

Andre O. Desjarlais, Insulation, 1/5/01, http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html, May 12, 1998

Fiber Glass, World Book Encyclopedia F, 1999

Insulation, World Book Encyclopedia I, 1999

Heat, Encarta Encyclopedia, 1993-1996

Insulation, Encarta Encyclopedia, 1993-1996

Temperature, Encarta Encyclopedia, 1993-1996

Pro Insulation company, Insulation, 11/29/00, http://www.proinsulation.com

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Loose-fill Insulation, 12/7/00, http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factshetts/insulate.html
 

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