How do I know if I have enough insulation in my attic?
Looking across your attic, if the insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation. Assumes R-3/inch. If you cannot see any of the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough, and adding more insulation may not be cost-effective.
Can I put too much insulation in my attic?
It's possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.
Is R 60 too much for an attic?
Recommended R-Value Varies by State You need exactly as much as the area you live in determines. Here, where temps get pretty hot for much of the year, attics should have from R30 to R60 (average is R38). Those living up north want anything from R49 to R60. This helps insulate against the extreme cold weather.
Is more insulation in the attic better?
The effect of a well-insulated attic space is greater energy efficiency and comfort. A home with a poorly insulated attic will experience more significant fluctuations in temperature throughout the day.
Should I remove old attic insulation before adding new?
Expert contractors that specialize in insulation advise that removing old fiberglass insulation is best before installing new cellulose insulation because of possible mildew, mold, or rodent excrement.
Is insulating your attic worth it?
The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. While it's a given that the insulation in your attic will keep the home warmer during the winter, it isn't immediately obvious that insulation can also help to keep the home comfortable during the summer.
What is the best type of attic insulation?
Spray foam offers the best attic insulation performance available. Choose from two types: closed-cell and open-cell, aka 2-pound and ½-pound, respectively. They sport insulation values of approximately R-6.5 and R-3.6 per inch, respectively.
Should I insulate my attic floor or ceiling?
roof insulation is no-contest. The floor wins every time. Insulating the floor is standard practice for an unfinished attic space. The exception to this rule takes place when families opt to convert an unfinished attic space into something usable or livable.
How thick is R60 blown?
R 60: Thickness that oscillates between 19 and 22 inches. R 70: Thickness that oscillates between 22 and 25 inches.
How often should attic insulation be replaced?
15-20 yearsHowever, due to its construction with natural materials, eventually the product will lose effectiveness. Fiberglass insulation typically needs to be replaced 15-20 years into it's life, as it can easily become dirty, wet, moldy, and ineffective if there's a roof leak or water damage of any kind.
Can too much insulation cause mold?
But several readers mentioned that going overboard with insulation and sealing a house can cause serious problems – from moisture buildup and mold to polluted indoor air. It's vital when upgrading your insulation to get just the right amount and to ensure that it's properly installed.
How thick should my attic insulation be?
about 10 to 14 inchesThe recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
Is there such thing as too much insulation?
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Can too much insulation cause mold?
But several readers mentioned that going overboard with insulation and sealing a house can cause serious problems – from moisture buildup and mold to polluted indoor air. It's vital when upgrading your insulation to get just the right amount and to ensure that it's properly installed.
How much loft insulation is too much?
Current government recommendations are for loft insulation to achieve a depth of between 250mm and 270mm but some new properties are increasing their level of loft insulation to 300mm. Again, as long as the loft has adequate ventilation, this is fine.
Can you double layer insulation?
Doubling the thickness of insulation will double the insulation's R-value, cutting heat loss in half. Each time the insulation layer is doubled in thickness, this rule applies.
How Thick Should Attic Insulation Be And Energy Costs
Over the last decade, energy costs have skyrocketed, thus increasing the need for better energy conservation practices.
How Much Insulation In Attic: Temperature Zones
Due to varying climatic conditions, it becomes necessary to provide appropriate insulation that fits the climate of the area. Speaking of the degree of insulation, this is measured by the insulation thickness.
Connecting Temperature Zones to Degree of Attic Insulation
Our discussion so far has highlighted the differences in temperature zones and the variations involved. We’ve also talked about insulation degrees.
How do I know if I need more insulation in my attic?
No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic, one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. If your insulation is just level with or below your floor joists (i.e., you can easily see your joists), you should add more.
How Much Should I Add?
The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
Is there insulation in the middle of the attic?
It is important that the insulation be evenly distributed with no low spots; sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves. To see how to add insulation out to the eaves, see Installing Rafter Vents. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly, you probably have enough.
How Do I Know
Feeling the loss of heat in the cooler months or cooler air in the warmer months is a great indication of the need for more insulation. It is possible that you need to seal up some openings in your attic space. Before you add the new or additional insulation to your attic, you can foam seal around small cracks.
What Are My Options
There are a variety of options when it comes to insulation. It is best to take a look and see what is currently in your home. From there, you can make an informed decision as to which one to add or update. Let’s take a look at the options.
How Much Does It Cost
New attic insulation can cost you a pretty penny. However, it is a necessary investment that can save you money over time. Consider the insulation as an investment into your electric bill reduction. The national average for insulation ranges from $1,700 to $2,100.
Other Recommended Maitenance
Since you are on the topic of your attic space. It is a great time to determine the ventilation needed for the attic space. Believe it or not, an attic should be ventilated just as much as it should be sealed. Ask yourself, do you need an attic ventilation fan? Depending on where you live will answer that question.
When Do I Call A Professional
Calling on a professional is vital for this project. Using a professional contractor allows you to have the attic inspected in full detail so that you can fix any issues. Typically, adding or replacing insulation is a key component for maintaining the integrity of heat loss or cool air loss.
Conclusion
The attic space is most often utilized for the storage of holiday decorations and other boxes that don’t fit in the garage. In some cases, attics are also used as a workspace. Ensuring that the attic is sealed and fully insulated is a key portion of storing items successfully or using the attic as a comfortable workspace.
What Is the Right Amount of Insulation?
Determining the right amount of insulation for your home will vary based on a number of factors.
How Much Insulation Is Too Much?
While it is more common for a home to be under insulated, it is possible to over insulate your attic. In fact, the amount of insulation required by building code is the minimum standard a home can be constructed with; it’s often never the appropriate amount. In some cases, homeowners and builders get overly ambitious and install more insulation than is necessary or even remotely effective.
Why does my attic have ice dams?
Ice dams can form when you have snow on your roof and the rising heat from your attic melts part of it, allowing liquid water to flow down the roof .
Why is my home having inconsistent temperatures?
Inconsistent temperatures in an area of your home may indicate that the insulation is poor, was incorrectly installed or just generally needs replacing.
How is loose fill insulation done?
With loose fill insulation, fibers are packed into bags and, using specialized machinery, blown in place to the preferred density and depth. You can choose to rent the particular equipment from a local home improvement center or pour the fill yourself and spread it manually. The manual process requires much more time, won’t yield the greatest results and is very labor-intensive.
How old does a house need to be to have insulation?
The age of your home plays a major role in how much insulation it needs. If your home is older than ten years , you will most likely need to install more insulation. Whether you are having your home built or renovated, you should conduct energy modelling and make important decisions on balancing performance in your home.
Can you put insulation in a moldy area?
You should not put insulation in places where moisture is known to accumulate, it will shrink, not efficiently protect your home and could lead to mold and mildew growth.
How to determine R value of insulation?
Grab a tape measure and a flashlight to see what kind of insulation you already have in the attic and how deep it is. Then use the numbers in the chart at right to estimate its R-value. Pull up and dispose of any material that's compressed, water stained, or moldy—it's useless.
What is low clearance attic?
Low-clearance attics with limited headroom for maneuvering during installation
How to cover gaps in a batt?
Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer, to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Adjoining batts should be butted snugly together, but not tight enough to compress them.
How much is fire block caulk?
Around pipes, wires, exhaust fans, and ducts: Gaps of ¼ inch or less can be sealed with fire-blocking caulk (3M Fire Block Sealant, $6.57 for 10.1 ounces; homedepot.com ); seal larger ones up to ½ inch with fire-blocking spray foam (Great Stuff Fireblock Insulating Foam Sealant, $16 for 16 ounces; amazon.com ).
Where to put vapor barrier?
Whether using loose fill or batts, put the vapor barrier closest to the warm side of your installation, where hot, moist air would get in—facing the house's interior in cold climates (beneath floor insulation) and the attic's interior in hot climates (on top of floor insulation). Some regions don't require a vapor barrier.
When did the federal tax credits for weatherizing your house expire?
Most federal tax credits for weatherizing your house and boosting its energy efficiency expired in 2011. But your state's energy office or local utility may offer product rebates, discounts, or other financial incentives for insulating. See a state-by-state directory of such programs here.
Can insulation fibers be blown in place?
Insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special machinery you can rent from a home center. You can pour the fill in place and spread it manually, but the process is much more labor-intensive and the results won't be nearly as good.
How much heat does attic insulation transfer?
It radiates heat transfer as much as 97%, which is extremely important when you install attic insulation due to the proximity to the sun as a major heat source
What type of insulation is used in the attic?
The most common types of attic insulation include blown-in fiberglass, spray foam, batt, structural insulated panels, loose-fill and reflective insulation.
Why Choose Prodex To Insulate Your Attic?
We recommend using Prodex to insulate your attic: a new-age, all-in-one insulation solution that provides numerous benefits.
How to know if a floor is stable?
Ensure the floor is stable by checking the joist stability . If there is plyboard installed, remove part of it to inspect the condition of the joists underneath. If your attic is finished, the size should be 2x8. If your attic is unfinished, the size may be 2x6 or 2x4. The boards should be less than 16 inches apart, measured between one joist center and the next one.
What is the purpose of insulation in the attic?
A finished attic typically has insulation between the ceiling rafters and exterior walls studs, to prevent heat from leaving your home through the roof and walls.
Why is it important to insulate the attic?
Properly insulating your attic can help ensure better temperature and moisture control
How much does it save to insulate your home?
Did you know that properly insulating your home, including your attic, basement and floors, can save 15% of your heating and cooling costs?
How to determine the right amount of insulation for a home?
The right amount of insulation in a home - be that attic, walls or floor, will of course vary by region. To draw the most sensible conclusions, designers should conduct specific energy modelling and make key decisions based on balancing performance. Homeowners, when having a home built or when renovating, need to decide what is most important to them – home size, decor and staying on budget, or energy efficiency, long term investment and the embodied carbon footprint.
How much money can I save on a well insulated house?
It also means that if you plan on occupying that house for the next 50 years, then it's possible to save $20,000 for a $2,000 investment. But there's more to it than this simple calculation of ROI.
What is the return on investment for home insulation?
The return on investment (ROI) refers to how long it will take to pay something off. In terms of insulation it goes something like this; if you live in a cold climate and currently have a 2x4 wall with fiberglass batt insulation and you plan to add two inches of rigid board insulation, the ROI could be 5 years - to randomly pick a number. That ROI calculation could be arrived at if it cost $2,000 to buy and install the insulation and it will save $400 a year on heating (and/or cooling costs). In 5 years the investment is paid and you will keep an extra $400 a month in your jeans for as long as you live in the home.
What does ‘diminishing returns’ for insulation mean?
It's as simple as this - adding one inch of insulation to a wall that has only one inch of insulation is certainly well worth the investment, in any climate. Adding one inch of insulation to a wall that has 5 inches of insulation makes sense in most climates. Adding one inch of insulation to a wall that has 30 inches of insulation makes sense nowhere. Even Yoda won’t live long enough to get a return on investment for that much insulation so it’s pretty much pointless.
What is the only thing that building codes consistently provide?
The only thing building codes consistently provide is a false sense of accomplishment when we meet the performance requirements . The truth is, Building Code insulation levels were not decided on by great minds pondering the 'ideal' amount of insulation.
What is the R value of insulation?
Many high performance home builders in the USA have proposed the following rule of thumb: The R-value of insulation installed in a green building should be about twice the code minimum for optimum performance. That is, of course, just a general guide rather than a hard-and-fast rule.
When homes lose heat, do they need to add heat?
So, follow that logic for a moment – when homes lose less heat, they need to ADD less heat. And sometimes…not all the time but sometimes… that can also mean reduced costs in heating and cooling infrastructure. What that in effect means, is that rather than buying a big furnace to heat a poorly insulated house, it's possible to buy a small furnace to heat a well-insulated house - or even, if designed and built very carefully, to end up with a Zero Energy home.
How should a home be insulated?
For optimal energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundation. The illustration above shows all the areas of the home where there should be insulation. The numbered areas shown in the illustration are as follows:
How to know if you have enough insulation?
See more on different types of insulation. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than an equivalent of R-30, you could probably benefit by adding more. Before insulating, seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs.
What to consider when building a house with radon?
If radon is an issue where you live, you’ll also need to consider radon and radon-resistant construction techniques as you research foundation insulation options. In addition, if you live in an area with termites, you’ll have to consider how termite protection will affect the choice and placement of insulation in your home and plan for a means of inspection.
When insulating floors above unconditioned garages, first seal all possible sources of air leakage.?
When insulating floors above unconditioned garages, first seal all possible sources of air leakage. This strategy has the added benefit of minimizing the danger of contaminants (from car exhaust, paint, solvents, gardening supplies, etc.) in the garage migrating into the conditioned space. Also install an air barrier to prevent cold air in the garage from "short circuiting" the insulation underneath the subfloor.
What is foam sheathing?
Foam sheathing: Provides a continuous layer of insulation, which reduces thermal bridging through wood studs, saving energy and improving comfort. Is easier to cut and install than heavier sheathing products. Protects against condensation on the inside wall by keeping the interior of the wall warmer.
Why do you need fire rated insulation in basement walls?
Here are a few things to consider when installing interior basement wall insulation: Many insulation types require a fire-rated covering because they release toxic gases when ignited.
What to do if ducts are in a new house?
If you’re building a new house, place ducts in the conditioned space to avoid the energy losses associated with most duct systems.
