A well-insulated house and attic are the key to the lowest energy costs overall. According to US News & World Report, sealing air leaks and heating ducts and insulating the attic are three of the top five home improvements that will save you more money on home-related expenses in the long run. If you need to improve your attic insulation, plan to add more insulation soon. As energy savings accumulate, over time they will pay for themselves. Usually, with the installation of insulation in the attic, manufacturers recommend that it last at least 80 years, and sometimes up to 100 years.
However, its effectiveness decreases over time, so it is recommended to replace it every 15 years to ensure that it works in the best possible way. You should check it every two to three years and, if there are signs of moisture or pests in the insulation, you should consider installing insulation in the attic before the recommended 15 years. Insulating your attic has many benefits, regardless of where you live or the time of year. The main reason is that you save money by reducing your energy bills, giving you a higher return on investment. It's also more environmentally friendly because it requires you to use less energy to heat or cool your home.
Whether you hire a professional or turn it into a weekend project, reinforcing attic insulation could be your best chance to improve the comfort of your home and reduce your utility bills. However, if you opt for blow insulation or spray foam insulation, a certified and licensed professional should do so when installing attic insulation. Here's the good news: When it comes to home improvements, insulating your attic is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to live comfortably without breaking the bank. You should wear a helmet, safety goggles, gloves and long sleeves when working with insulation material in the attic.
The Department of Energy estimates that up to 30% of a home's energy costs can escape through a poorly insulated attic. Dust mites, molds, molds and pet dander can be triggered when there is little or no insulation in the attic. A professional contractor will measure the insulation you already have in the attic and determine how much more is needed. If certain rooms have drafts or fluctuating temperatures, the cause could be degraded or inadequate attic insulation.
Improving attic insulation is not about increasing the thickness of the insulation itself, but about improving the R value. When it's cold, insufficient insulation in attics contributes greatly to the “chimney effect”, which drives up heating bills and makes homes feel like there are drafts of air. There are a variety of types of attic insulation, but the most recommended today is aerosol foam insulation. During the winter, this insulation prevents warm air from rising up the top floor to the attic, and during the summer, it prevents overheated air from the attic from seeping into the rooms.
Therefore, if you decide to use spray foam to improve attic insulation, you'll first need to remove fiberglass or other existing insulation. Before you call to schedule a professional attic insulation installation, or purchase the materials to do it yourself, first check what you have.
