Will Adding Attic Insulation Make a Difference?
Why is attic insulation important? It is estimated that heating and cooling your home is responsible for 50% to 70% of the energy used. Adding attic insulation helps reduce your energy costs by lowering the amount of energy you need to keep your home at a comfortable level.
The Harvard School of Public Health says if your home is as little as 5 to 10 years old, you likely have one of the 46 million under-insulated homes in the United States. Attic insulation is vital to ensure your home is energy efficient and comfortable. Most attics built today only install minimum insulation levels.
The types of insulation installed in an attic may include blown-in fiberglass, rolled fiberglass batt insulation, rock wool insulation, cellulose insulation, spray foam insulation, radiant barrier insulation, foam board insulation or a combination of these. Make sure air sealing is a part of your attic insulation project, as well as ventilation and addressing radiant heat.
Blown-in Insulation
Blown in insulation is one of the best types of attic insulation available. It consists of small particles of fiber, foam or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing structures or finishes.
Duct Sealing/Cleaning
Sealing the duct-work is important to you and your family’s health and well-being. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that 50% of all illnesses are caused by poor indoor air quality. Duct sealing is a great way to minimize pollutants.
Air Sealing
The most overlooked type of attic insulation is spray foam insulation. Gaps and holes located in the attic allow for air movement inside the home. Air sealing these gaps and penetrations with spray foam will greatly decrease air loss and make your home even more comfortable.
Ventilation
The purpose of an attic fan is to properly ventilate the attic to reduce temperature in the summer. During warm to hot days temperatures can reach over 120 plus degrees in the attic. A properly ventilated attic helps move hot air out which can reduce AC usage and save you money.
Dehumidification
Many consumers tighten up their attics to reduce energy loss; but are then faced with a damaging buildup of moisture. Aprilaire high-capacity dehumidifiers can remove attic moisture while maintaining energy savings. Low humidity can increase energy efficiency in your home.
Radiant Barrier
Unlike most types of insulation, which resist conductive and sometimes convective heat flow, radiant barrier insulation works by reflecting radiant heat away from the living space. Radiant barriers are installed primarily to reduce summer heat gain, which helps lower cooling costs.
Cathedral Ceilings
Improving the comfort and energy efficiency of your home is important. Cathedral ceiling insulation is a great way to keep the air from escaping right out the roof. Installed properly, it can have a huge impact on your comfort and utility bills.
Knee Wall Insulation
Foam board, spray foam and batting insulation can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, including that hot bonus room. When you combine these 3 types of insulation, they are a great way to insulate and air seal knee walls and tray ceilings inside your home as well.
Baffles and Hatches
Baffles provide a channel for airflow in the attic, they help improve air flow and reduce the cost of your cooling/heating in your house.
Properly air sealing hatches and pull down ladders will save money and improve air quality inside your home.