Using the right insulation in your home can improve both your comfort and energy efficiency, at the same time reducing your heating and cooling bills. Insulation slows the movement of heat in and out of the house, keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer during the cold winter months. Your need for other heating and cooling measures can be significantly minimized, or actually eliminated, if the correct insulation is used in conjunction with passive-solar design and an airtight structure.

Choosing the best type and amount of insulation for your particular home and climate directly determines its effectiveness. The most common types of insulation to consider are fiberglass, cellulose and rigid foam.

Fiberglass. Among its benefits, it doesn't burn or shrink, bugs don't like it, and it's made from silica sand, a terrifically abundant resource. However, with potential health risks such as lung damage and cancer warnings, some forms and brands of fiberglass are safer than others, so do your research and ask questions to find the best solution for your home.

Cellulose. Economical, readily available and better for the environment than fiberglass, cellulose is composed of recycled newspaper and, occasionally, small quantities of shredded cardboard. It carries less health risk than fiberglass, but can condense as it settles and take on moisture, potentially molding if it stays wet.

Rigid Foam (Foam Board). Mostly made from polymers, water-resistant rigid foam has almost double the R-value (heat flow resistance) of cellulose or fiberglass insulation. Rigid foam is divided into three types: polyisocyanurate (polyiso), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS), each varying in cost, R-value and environmental friendliness.

Alternative insulation options include straw, straw-bale, wool and cotton. Learn more about these solutions (and those above) in Dan Chiras' article, 'All About Insulation,' from Mother Earth News magazine.

These tips are adapted from 'All About Insulation,' by Dan Chiras.