What is a ttic guy?
What is cellulose insulation?
Is cellulose insulation good for energy?
Is it bad to replace cellulose insulation?
What Condition Is the Old Insulation In?
The condition of your old insulation is the most important determining factor in whether it needs to be removed before adding in new. Technically, you can put new insulation over old insulation, unless it is wet, according to ENERGY STAR®. This includes if your insulation appears to be wet currently or has previously been wet.
Other Factors to Consider
Some other factors to consider when determining if you should remove your old insulation or not are:
What Is Loose-Fill Cellulose Insulation?
Cellulose insulation is thick, dense, and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas (such as walls) and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts (found both in walls and in attics).
Is Cellulose Insulation Considered Green?
With cellulose, eco-friendliness is a debatable issue. On the one hand, it can be considered green because it uses up to 85 percent recycled materials. However, the remaining 15 percent, which includes the borate treatment, is less-than-green because it is a chemical treatment.
How is cellulose fed into an insulation blower?
Densely packed bales of cellulose are fed into the hopper of an insulation blower powered by an electric motor. Rotating teeth or prongs at the bottom of the hopper fluff up the cellulose.
What is the best insulation for a wall?
There are a number of advantages to using cellulose insulation over other types: 1 Loose-fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics. 2 Loose-fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive, yet still has an R-value of about 3.5 per inch of thickness, compared to fiberglass' R-value between R3 to R4 per inch. 3 When walls are already finished, injecting loose-fill cellulose insulation is one of the few ways of adding insulation. One alternative is to pull down the drywall and use fiberglass batts. 4 Cellulose insulation stands up reasonably well against insects and vermin because it is treated with borates.
How is cellulose blown into the attic?
The cellulose is blown into the attic or walls through long, flexible tubes that run from the blower to an application nozzle. The cellulose is allowed to fill the cavities or blanket existing insulation. No pressure is placed on the cellulose; it is allowed to settle over time. Walls are patched up and painted over.
Why is settling in attics bad?
Settling in attics is less problematic for two reasons. First, attic spaces can be overfilled to account for settling. Second, when cellulose insulation in attics settles, no empty spaces are formed. When cellulose soaks up moisture in enclosed areas, it can take a long time to dry out.
Where does cellulose come from?
Cellulose insulation technically can come from any cellular plant source, such as corncobs or sisal. But commercial cellulose insulations are generally derived from wood, and more specifically from paper: recycled newspapers, cardboard, office paper, and other common waste paper products.
Is it better to remove old insulation? Or Is it OK to put new insulation over old insulation?
If it has been a while since you’ve had the attic insulated, the first thing you’ll notice is the attic floor studs showing. So, yes , this is an indication that your attic needs more insulation, even if the existing old insulation still has some R-value left.
Is rolled insulation better than blown?
The R-value is the concern to focus on when comparing the two types of attic insulation, blown-in insulation, or rolled. Manufacturers have the actual R-value of their product on their packages, which thickness range 2.9 per inch to 3.8 per inch for standard fiberglass rolls and blown-in insulation an R-value measuring 2.2 per inch to 2.7 per inch in fiberglass and cellulose measure 3.2 per inch and 3.8 per inch.
How long does it take to remove insulation from an attic?
Smash and press until the air is out of the bag. This attic insulation removal process could take you between five and eight hours, based on the size of your attic.
Why is insulation needed in the attic?
Attic insulation is an essential component to getting most of the heating and cooling in your home without sending your energy bills through the roof, literally. It can also be a source of poor air quality if it becomes wet or infested with insects and rodents. Take the time or budget the expense of having attic insulation removal done before spending money and time having new insulation installed is the best and safest solution.
How to get rid of cellulose dust in attic?
There will be cellulose dust flying around; anyone with breathing issues should stay out of the house until the job is complete. Cover the furniture with drop cloths or plastic tarps on the living space below the attic. Have plenty of big trash bags on hand.
How to get more out of a trash bag?
Smash and squeeze each trash bag with each vacuum empty to get as much in each bag then tie off when full.
Where to dispose of old insulation?
Once you have completed the attic insulation removal process, you’ll need to dispose of the bags. It is recommended to take them to the local trash center instead of leaving them for your local trash pickup unless you’ve made previous arrangements.
What is the insulation in the attic?
The old insulation on the floor of the attic will almost always be cellulose or fiberglass, which are both fibrous materials that are both proven to retain and hold moisture and foster and invites condensation along with those moisture issues.
Why remove old fiberglass from attic deck?
The roof deck should be insulated for several reasons – protecting the roof, giving your attic a space that is conditioned, and ensuring there are no drafts in your attic.
Why is it important to insulate the attic?
That’s because heat rises from your home into the attic, and without an air barrier, that hot air will escape right out of your roof.
What happens when you insulate a roof deck?
When the roof deck is insulated, the air moves into the attic, hits the roof where it cools down, and then falls back down. This means your attic is now a conditioned space, which means you heat and cool that area. You need to have air moving freely in and out of that area.
Why is condensation higher in a house?
Any time there is a temperature difference, there is a potential for condensation – the higher the temperature difference, the higher the probability of condensation because you have a bigger window for a dew point to fall into. This also has to do with the humidity in your home.
Why is airflow important in a house?
Airflow circulation is crucial in your house because your furnace, AC unit, and mechanical ventilation move air throughout your home.
How many degrees is the attic in summer?
For example, in the summer, if it is 85 degrees outside, it is around 100 degrees in the attic, and the house is about 70 degrees. That is about a 30-degree difference between your living space and your attic.
What is a ttic guy?
A ttic Guys offers cellulose insulation removal for homeowners and companies looking to save on energy costs and rejuvenate their space. Before attempting to remove this type of insulation yourself, learn more about why it can be a potentially dangerous DIY project:
What is cellulose insulation?
Cellulose is a man-made material that normally comes from plant fibers, and it is most popular in its loose-fill and spray-on forms. Many experts favor cellulose insulation as being one of the most “green” options; it’s often made out of at least 75-85% post-consumer recycled materials, such as newspaper. Choosy homeowners like to pick cellulose as their insulation of choice out of the several types of insulation because of its versatility and eco-friendliness. It breaks down naturally, leaving a safer material behind than other types of insulation like fiberglass foam. It also tends to be just as long-lasting and energy-efficient as other options. If you’re looking at insulation removal and wondering what type of insulation you have, you should know that cellulose is common in newer homes and has a soft, brown appearance. Occasionally, consumers can confuse cellulose with asbestos, so it’s best to have experts look at your insulation first before touching or removing it yourself.
Is cellulose insulation good for energy?
It also tends to be just as long-lasting and energy-efficient as other options. If you’re looking at insulation removal and wondering what type of insulation you have, you should know that cellulose is common in newer homes and has a soft, brown appearance.
Is it bad to replace cellulose insulation?
Over a long enough time span, loose cellulose (its most popular form) will settle, becoming less effective. Wet, messy, and dirty insulation can also lead to health hazards and damage within the home. It’s a good idea to replace this insulation at that point.
