When it comes to energy savings, proper attic insulation is the first step every homeowner should take, especially if they live in an older house that wasn\u2019t built according to current strict energy codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amount of money we waste each year on heating and cooling is downright obscene. In fact, about 70% of our energy bills account for making our home comfortable to live in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hard truth is that our energy bills shouldn\u2019t be that high. It isn\u2019t sustainable in the long run, especially since weather conditions are more unpredictable than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, to stop wasting energy and keep the warmth or coolness inside our homes, we ought to work on our energy efficiency. The best way to do that is to tackle the highest point through which air will try to escape \u2014 the attic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most homeowners, opting for attic insulation is a no-brainer if heating their whole house seems to be taking way too long and costing way too much. When the attic is left bare, i.e., without insulation, the heat can travel to it and leak through. Thus, creating more warmth is practically inevitable but somewhat futile in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the best-case scenario, insulation can reduce energy loss by up to 30%. However, for it to work its magic, we have to consider the R-value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not all insulation is created equal, with some materials offering low insulating properties and poor heat transfer resistance. The R-value tells us exactly how much insulation we need, as well as which materials to choose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, an attic\u2019s R-value should be anywhere from R-38 to R-49. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the contractor inspects our attic and determines which insulation would work best, they\u2019ll install it under the roof rafters. That will prevent the air from escaping the attic. Consequently, it will allow our cooling and heating equipment to work more efficiently and remain cost-effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On top of that, the insulation will prevent mold, rust, and any other type of damage related to excess moisture getting trapped in the attic. Thus, our roof will stay in good shape for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since this endeavor is a significant investment, we have to determine whether attic insulation is even necessary for our house. Of course, everyone is looking for extra energy savings. However, without asking a reliable expert to evaluate our attic, we cannot know for sure whether the project would pay off in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that clearly show our attic needs some extra maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, it needs more protection if icicles or ice dams are a common occurrence. Similarly, we ought to deal with hot spots as well. These may be a bit tricky to notice, so we ought to compare our roof with others in the neighborhood. Hot spots are clearly visible when there\u2019s snow, as some parts of the roof won\u2019t be covered at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, to verify whether our attic has been leaking out heat, we should compare our current energy bills with previous statements. Sometimes, people don\u2019t even notice they are wasting their money until it\u2019s way too late to do anything about it. Keeping a good track of our expenses is, therefore, the best way to resolve a problem before it becomes a real nuisance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our heating or cooling equipment could also point out that something\u2019s amiss in the attic. If we\u2019ve been cranking up the heat more than usual or leaving the A\/C running all day long, the devices may not be working at peak efficiency. That doesn\u2019t just waste our money; the equipment will need frequent maintenance checks and repairs if it\u2019s on all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the end, homeowners can expect serious savings if they invest in attic insulation. They won\u2019t have to rely on their cooling or heating equipment to make up for the loss of energy. At the same time, they won\u2019t have to replace the devices often and will be able to put the money they\u2019d otherwise spend on repairs and maintenance to better use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n