NuWool
The purpose of this article is to challenge the claims of NuWool. NuWool is a cellulose manufacturer that produces a fine cellulose product. From the outset, please realize that we install cellulose. At times, we use their product. We simply want to clarify what is fact about cellulose's performance.
NuWool is neither "new" nor is it "wool."
Some have asked us "Do you use wool insulation?" When we tried to explain that wool insulation is only found in Ireland, they say "No, we just talked to someone that is using a 'new wool' insulation." NuWool is cellulose which is made of recycled newspapers. This clever branding is creating confusion and giving the impression that the consumer is getting "wool" when in fact it is shredded newspaper.NuWool admits, in a deeply embedded web page, that it cannot outperform fiberglass.
NuWool claims that its product is 40% superior to other insulating materials. However, they admit that its WALLSEAL® spray-in-place cellulose product cannot outperform the R-values found in fiberglass.
During a recent code battle in the State of Michigan, NuWool posted an article on their website stating that they were against the more strict R-value code. Their complaint read: "The inflated R-value requirements could have potentially excluded from the marketplace all common types of insulation other than high density fiberglass."
NuWool installers continue to use out-dated R-value information to promote their product.
In the 1970s and '80s, we used blown cellulose because it had a higher R-value than fiberglass. Cellulose and standard fiberglass batts (including blown fiberglass) have identical R-values. For over two decades, manufacturers have been making high-density fiberglass batts that rate significantly higer than cellulose. That's why they did not want the codes to change.
NuWool has changed the language of R-value to overstate their product
They use the phrase, "effective R-value" to overstate their product's performance. If their materially effectively achieved greater R-values than their packaging states, then they should use the higher "effective R-value" number. They cannot. Why? Because their material only achieves 3.7 R-value per inch, the same as fiberglass.
NuWool offers a guaranteed savings of 40% on your utility bills
Using their own math formula for "effective R-value" and the outdated R-value of 1970s fiberglass, NuWool can calculate a 40% savings. Besides, how will you ever be able to challenge the 40% savings number unless you insulate your home with fiberglass, live in it for a year, then reinsulate it with cellulose?
Nu-Wool is a registered trademark of Nu-Wool, Inc.