A perfect opportunity to lower utility expenses during a roofing project is to add attic insulation.
Calling in the professionals to install your insulation can be a major upgrade. It’s safer to let the professionals handle it, reducing the risk of stepping through the ceiling. Also, removing a few pieces of roof decking and blowing in insulation from different positions can lead to a more even and level spread.
This is a very cost effective way to lower your utility bills. Contact us today for a free estimate!
IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE.
Whether you live in a spot with warm weather or in a cooler northern climate, it’s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don’t have adequate insulation in the attic. But many homeowners don’t know how much is enough.
Typically, houses in warm-weather states should have an R-38 insulation in the attic, whereas houses in cold climates should have R-49. These insulation levels will keep heated air from migrating out in winter. And in the summer, a good blanket of attic insulation helps keep the house cooler and reduces the load on air-conditioning equipment.
Do you need more insulation in your home?
Most attics are insulated with blown-in loose cellulose (R-3.5 per inch), blown-in loose fiberglass (R-2.5 per inch) or fiberglass batts (R-3.2 per inch). Cellulose is recycled newsprint treated with a fire retardant. Fiberglass is just what the name implies — thin fibers of glass that trap air.
To determine if you need more insulation, measure what’s in place with a ruler or tape. The chart included below shows you the approximate thickness of each type of insulation you should ideally have in the attic. [Either we need a chart from them or to cut this part] When you measure, make sure you have plenty of light to work by, and work on a cool day. Be careful not to step through the ceiling!
A tightly sealed house is just as important as insulation. If you decide on loose-fill fiberglass or cellulose, consider hiring a pro to install the material. The equipment pros use blows in material at the correct density. Don’t be concerned if it seems like they are installing more insulation than necessary; the material will settle to the right thickness.
