Does Your Home Adequate Attic Insulation?
Heat passes all too easily through a poorly insulated attic. In the winter, heated interior air rises naturally by convection and escapes into the attic through numerous air leaks. Conductive heat loss through the cold ceiling makes rooms directly beneath the attic even colder.
The problem reverses on a hot summer day, as attic temperatures rise to the 140 degree range and heat moves into your living space, creating uncomfortably hot rooms that are expensive to cool. In many homes, these overheated rooms are bedrooms, adding to the homeowner’s frustrations.
7 Signs You Have A Poorly Insulated Attic
- Rooms directly beneath the attic get too hot or too cold at certain times of the year – even though other parts of the house remain comfortable.
- High electric bills and/or high bills for heating fuel.
- Cold drafts in certain parts of the house during wintertime.
- Recessed “can” lights in the ceiling directly below the attic.
- Attic floor joists are visible above or between existing attic insulation.
- Less than 10 in. of attic insulation.
- Attic ductwork is exposed above the insulation layer.
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Cellulose insulation is the ideal way to upgrade attic insulation and improve R-value.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends homes in southern climates have 13-14 inches (R-38) of insulation, while homes in northern climates should have 16-18 inches (R-49). However, according to the Insulation Institute, an incredible 90% of homes are under-insulated.
That means homeowners everywhere are losing money and dealing with uncomfortable temperatures in their houses. Unless you’ve recently had a duct encapsulation and insulation upgrade, your home is likely among them. Unfortunately, local building codes only stipulate minimum performance standards, which are far below what home energy experts recognize as necessary today, which is part of how this problem has become so widespread.
How To Fix An Under-Insulated Attics
When it comes to adding attic insulation to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency, here’s how you or an experienced professional go about doing so:
- Inspect & test your attic to identify problem areas: This can be done with a home energy audit or attic specific inspection.
- Air seal your attic: Eliminate drafts and air leaks that let warm, conditioned air escape your home in the winter and let humid air in the attic when it’s warm out.
- Duct sealing and insulation: duct sealing and insulating the attic combined with duct encapsulation will be a major help in preventing conditioned air from being wasted as it travels through your ductwork.
- Install the correct insulation: Understanding which attic insulation is best for your situation and wallet will help create a more comfortable and energy efficient home, which will save you money long term.
Did you know that a proper attic insulation upgrade can cut your heating & cooling costs by as much as 50%? Not only that, but it will improve the comfort in any rooms that get too hot or too cold during the year. The best part is, is it is a passive investment in your home that that won’t require maintenance. Proper attic insulation service elements include:
- Attic duct encapsulation
- Attic air sealing
- Attic hatch & pull-down stairs air sealing
- Can light covers
- Chimney chase & major opening sealing
- Vented knee wall space sealing
- Insulating with cellulose
- Creating a conditioned attic