Attic Insulation Means Energy Savings
Investing in Over Head to Cut your Overhead
You pay top dollar to heat your house. So, the thought of precious heat cascading up through your ceiling into the heavens should be a perpetual source of irritation. When you have less than ideal attic insulation, you are literally burning money. And it’s just as bad in the summer. Less than ideal attic insulation means you are not keeping the heat out. Definitely not cool.
In terms of home insulation and energy savings, your attic needs to be top priority.
There are a few ways to determine whether or not your attic insulation is effective enough. A rule of thumb is that if it is less than R-30 (11 inches of rolled or batt insulation or 8 inches of blown cellulose insulation) you’re burning money to heat and cool your home.
Before you start considering the type of insulation to go with, you need to seal the attic. Would you pour Dom Pérignon into a glass with a hole in it! You pay for that hot (and cool) air.
When it comes to attic insulation. You have a few options:
· Roll and Batt Insulation
Sized to fit standard spacing of wall studs and floor joists, this form of home insulation is made from fiberglass or rock wool
· Blown-In Insulation
Also known as loose-fill insulation or blown cellulose Insulation, this home insulation option is made from fiberglass, rock wool or cellulose. It is great for attics because it is comprised of loose fibers or pellets that can be blown around wiring and ductwork and into irregularly shaped nooks and crannies
· Rigid Foam Insulation
This foam board (not unlike a sheet of plywood – but much lighter) is ideally used for wall sheathing but it is also great for hatches and other attic insulation applications. It offers R-values that are roughly double other insulations of the same thickness
· Foam-In-Place Insulation
Typically made with polyurethane, foam-in-place insulation comes in two forms: open cell and closed cell. Sprayed into place with special equipment, air-filled open-cell insulation has a spongy texture. Closed-cell insulation is denser and provides a better R-value. It also produces higher density cells that are filled with gas that expands the insulation into irregular spaces to create a sealing effect
Which attic insulation you go with usually comes down to budget. Closed-cell foam insulation is the densest, expands to create a seal and protects against moisture and air leakage – all very important considerations up in the attic where all that heat you pay for eventually ends up. It might cost more on the front end, but In common sense / good business terms, paying more to do it right – means you will save more on ever-increasing heating and cooling costs over the long term. And isn’t that the whole point?
Wind baffles along the eaves and proper ventilation (talk to a qualified insulation contractor) can help you save even more while aiding in the prevention of moisture damage.
Beyond energy savings, insulating your attic is one of the easiest ways to increase the overall comfort of your home. With just a little thought, this becomes a real no-brainer. You are essentially paying yourself to live free from drafts in the calm quiet of your furnace and air conditioner enjoying all that time off! You can start to see where we get our tagline – smart comfort.
Smart comfort also means feeling good about making the right investments in saving money and helping the environment. At Insta-Insulation we are experts at assessing each unique attic situation in order to propose the best solution for optimal ROI.
Give us a call. When it comes to attic insulation and energy savings, things are looking up!
