How To Install Insulation In Attic Walls – When it comes to home improvements that give you the most bang for your buck, attic insulation is about as efficient as you can get. A well-insulated attic has the power to stabilize indoor temperatures year-round, prevent ice dams from forming on the roof in winter, reduce home energy consumption, lower your monthly energy bills, and much more.
Many homeowners here in the Frankfort and Illinois areas assume that insulating the attic is as simple as throwing some fiberglass up into the attic space; however, proper attic insulation requires a much more comprehensive approach. Here’s a look at essential steps to consider as you prepare to insulate your attic.
How To Install Insulation In Attic Walls
Effective attic insulation starts with knowing what your attic needs. Many attics contain air leaks and are under-insulated, relying on scant amounts of older materials for insulation. An energy audit performed by a home performance expert can reveal exactly where air leaks and insulation gaps are – and tell you if insulation removal is necessary before installing new insulation.
How Do I Effectively Insulate My Attic?
Once your home performance expert has gathered more information about your attic, they can seal air leaks and install high-performance insulation as needed for optimal home comfort and efficiency. Air sealing with spray foam insulation eliminates holes and gaps that allow air to travel between the attic and your living spaces, while high-performance insulation creates a thermal barrier that prevents heat transfer in and out of the attic. An experienced home performance specialist will select the best insulation materials for your attic depending on your needs and budget.
Many homeowners focus on air-sealing and insulation in the attic while neglecting the importance of attic ventilation. Proper attic ventilation, when combined with air sealing and professionally installed insulation, cools the attic during warmer months when heat might otherwise enter through the roof and accumulate in the attic. It also allows warm, humid air to escape from the attic during colder months.
This protects your attic and the structure of your home from water damage as it prevents moisture from condensation on roofs, trusses and other attic structures. Finally, proper attic ventilation can protect your home from fluctuating temperatures, help lower energy bills, and prevent mold and rot from water damage.
Is your attic undermining home comfort and efficiency? Our home performance experts can help! Contact us to schedule a free consultation! Today is recognized as National Energy Efficiency Day. In addition to purchasing Energy Star certified appliances, there are other ways to make your home more energy efficient. To conclude our series on helpful blogs aimed at helping you save money, let’s talk about insulation.
How To Hang Insulation The Easy Way For Beginners
When it comes to keeping the inside of your home comfortable and your energy bill more manageable — whether during our recent record-breaking September heat or the overnight chilly weather we’re about to experience — insulation plays an important role. Unlike windows and air conditioners, insulation is something we usually can’t see unless you spend time in the attic. Out of sight, out of mind is probably the best way to refer to it. But if you’re looking to save energy and money, images of insulation should float in your head.
Insulation acts as a barrier between the outside temperature and a comfortable temperature in your home. If you are thinking of adding or replacing this material in your walls or attic, be sure to do your homework, as the task can be quite overwhelming considering the various types of insulation on the market today. Recently, we spoke with Tom Porter, owner of Geo Insulation here in San Antonio, for some tips and insights on adding insulation.
Tom: The EPA estimates that the average homeowner can save 15% on heating and cooling (11% of total energy costs) by adding insulation in attics and crawl spaces. For most people, that’s about $200 in savings per year.
Tom: The R-value, which is also known as “Thermal Resistance”, is the measurement of the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. This measurement is determined by the material type, thickness and installed weight per square foot. For example, the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power is within your insulation.
Attic Knee Walls
Tom: When it comes to how much insulation you should have in your home, there is no right or wrong answer that we can give everyone, although we can tell you that if your home was built before 1980, you should definitely get. it checked because most homes built before that time don’t have enough insulation. But as mentioned before, there is no sure answer about the type or the amount of insulation you should install in your home because different homes require different amounts and types of insulation.
Tom: To start things off, there is quite a difference between fiberglass and spray foam insulation. In fact, there are even two types of spray foam insulation, closed cell and open cell. Glass insulation works by trapping air in its tiny glass fibers, which results in a slow transfer of heat. Open cell spray foam is used primarily as an air barrier for your home, while closed cell spray foam acts as an air, moisture and vapor barrier for your home. It is also important to add that closed cell spray foam insulation can add up to 250% strength to your walls and roof. Both open and closed cell spray foam can last approximately 60 years longer than fiberglass insulation.
Tom: For fiberglass insulation, the benefits are few; it is inexpensive and it can prevent some heat from entering your home. For spray foam insulation, the benefits vary depending on whether you choose to go with open cell or closed cell. Benefits for spray foam include: stopping air and moisture infiltration and adding strength to the structure of your home. It is permanent and will not sag and prevents dust and pollen from entering your home.
Tom: There is a difference in price between fiberglass and spray foam. Fiber insulation is used in about 85% of homes in America mainly due to the low cost of installation. While fiberglass installation can be done by basically anyone, a professional can charge around $0.40 per square foot. Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, must be done by a professional and can run between $0.90 – $1.50 per board foot (1 ft x 1 ft square by 1 inch thick).
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Loose and Blown Insulation – This type of insulation is best for an existing building, especially if it (the building) is in an irregular shape. It can be installed in existing walls, wall cavities, attic floors and other places that either have obstructions or are difficult to reach.
Batt and Roll Insulation – Also known as blanket insulation, this type of insulation covers unfinished walls, foundation walls, ceilings and floors that are free of obstructions.
Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barriers – Reflective insulation/radiant barriers effectively lower cooling costs by reflecting sunlight back instead of absorbing it. It is usually installed in attics to stop the heat from being transferred down to the ceilings.
Tom: Not only will you save money by adding insulation to your home, but adding insulation to your home increases the comfort of your home and protects the environment by reducing the energy use in your home.
Wall Insulation: How To Install Insulation In 4 Easy Steps
Tom: Professional insulation contractors specialize in the very aspect of installing insulation. It is important that you hire a professional so that your insulation is installed correctly and to ensure that you get the most for your money. Professionals will also be familiar with any local codes or ordinances that may be within your city limits.
As you’ve read, insulation is important if your goal is to be more energy efficient and save money on your energy bill. Having the right amount of insulation keeps your home at a comfortable temperature. Without it, your air conditioner and furnace work harder in their respective seasons of use.
For over a decade, we’ve offered home weatherization through our Casa Verde program. The program provides an average of $5,000 in energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to those who qualify. Learn more at cpsenergy.com/casaverde. We also offer insulation discounts for your home. See information on all of our rebates at cpsenergy.com/savenow.
Special thanks to our subject matter expert for helping with content for this blog. CPS Energy does not promote or endorse contractors or vendors. Instead, clients are encouraged to seek multiple quotes for services. When it comes to attic insulation, you’ll probably think about it for one of two reasons. Either you have a house with an existing room in the roof OR you are thinking of creating a room in the roof of your home.
What Insulation Should I Use In The Ceiling Of My Attic
If you are thinking of creating a new room, your builder will need to adhere to the current Building Regulations requirements and you should get a fairly well insulated roof (assuming their attention to detail is good). However, the standard method of insulating an attic room does have some drawbacks, but more on that in a minute.
If you have a house with an existing attic and you just want to find out how to insulate the existing one
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