Attic insulation

 

Looking for a cost-effective way to save energy and reduce cooling and heating costs? Look no further than your home’s insulation. A well-insulated home is one of the most effective ways to save on your energy usage, while also improving your home’s thermal and acoustical comfort.

The Benefits of Insulation

A well-insulated home has sufficient insulation in walls and ceilings to resist the flow of heat. Heat is energy that is continually moving and seeking a cooler area. In the summer, heat tends to flow into your home and in winter it tends to flow out of your home. By reducing the transfer of heat, a well-insulated home uses less energy for cooling in the summer and less energy for heating in the winter.

Another benefit of a well-insulated home is enhanced comfort. By reducing the transfer of heat into the living space, drafts and hot spots are virtually eliminated. In addition, insulation reduces sound transmission. Adding insulation can curb the noise of children from room to room or outside, or sounds of the air conditioning equipment located in the attic.

Insulation Ratings

Insulation materials are rated in terms of their R-Value, which is their ability to resist the transfer of heat. The higher the R-Value, the more effective the insulation. We recommend R-30 in flat attic areas and R-22 in kneewalls/hot walls (walls with conditioned space on one side and attic space on the other side). Generally, wall areas are insulated with far less insulation than attic areas. Attic insulation will be subjected to more temperature extremes and requires additional insulation.

What You Can Do Now

Adding insulation to your attic may be the most cost-effective insulation upgrade. The project can pay for itself in as little as two years in reduced energy costs.

We generally don’t recommend retrofitting exterior wall insulation, because the payback can be delayed for many years. The exception to this is new home construction, where insulation with at least an R-15 rating is recommended in the exterior wall cavity.

The two types of insulation materials you can use for your attic are batt form (cotton or fiberglass batts) or loose insulation (types include cellulose, fiberglass, rock-wool and cotton). Cellulose is recycled newsprint treated with a fire retardant. Fiberglass is thin fibers of glass that trap air.

Batt insulation should be used in knee walls to protect the side of the wall that has conditioned space. Blown-in or loose-fill insulation should be installed in uniform thickness across the entire ceiling surface area of the attic.

                                                                 

 

Do-it-Yourself Versus Hire a Pro

Installing batts and rolls in attics is fairly easy, but doing it right is very important.Make sure the insulation you install is tightly sealed, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you decide on loose-fill fiberglass or cellulose, consider hiring a pro to install the material. The equipment the pros use blows in material at the correct density. If you decide to install loose insulation yourself, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, especially regarding minimum thickness and minimum weight per square foot to achieve the desired R-Value.

Each type of insulation has distinct properties; the best choice depends on your needs and preferences.

Cellulose insulation: Cellulose is essentially newspaper and cardboard that has been shredded. It is organic and porous, which means it does a great job of trapping air. Its insulation properties seem to last longer than other products because it doesn’t settle as quickly. It’s also treated with boric acid, which provides a level of fire retardation and helps repel insects and bugs.

Batt or blown insulation: Loose insulation is good as long as it is applied evenly throughout your attic. Blown insulation reaches cracks and crevices that batt insulation may miss.