Are you looking for “Mom-Approved” ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money on your energy bills? One solution could be to upgrade your attic insulation!
Imagine for a moment that it’s the middle of summer. Temperatures are getting higher by the day, and all you want after time spent outdoors- is to have a cool place to retreat to. You spend your weekend relaxing on the couch – enjoying the cool air with a cold drink to match. You notice that even though you’ve set your thermostat to a cool 70 degrees, your HVAC system is struggling to keep your house cool.
There could be a number of things overworking your HVAC system, but a possible suspect could also be inefficient attic insulation!
Why Is Attic Insulation Important?
So, what makes attic insulation important? Mainly, it helps to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Without correctly installed attic insulation, heat from outside can easily get inside through gaps and weak spots. Most importantly, your attic’s insulation traps the hot or cold air, preventing it from getting out or in. A poorly insulated attic will cause your home to become less comfortable and your HVAC system to overwork itself.
You wouldn’t run the heater or air conditioner in your car with the windows cracked, would you? The same goes for an attic that isn’t insulated. Running your home’s HVAC system while the treated air is just escaping is no good. Attic insulation helps to prevent this unwanted transfer of heat, which can help lower your energy usage and save you money on your energy bills.
Additionally, when your attic insulation is fully efficient, it can help increase the longevity of your HVAC system by making it so it doesn’t struggle to keep your house at a comfortable temperature with the air escaping. It can also help to make your home more comfortable by reducing drafts and heat seeping in.
Without further ado, let’s jump into all things “attic insulation” and determine if an attic insulation upgrade is right for you!
What is Attic Insulation?
Attic insulation is the material installed along the walls of your attic to help prevent “air leakage,” which is simply losing the air your HVAC system has worked hard to get to the right temperature. It traps small pockets of air within the insulation material, which then slows down the rate at which treated air can escape. This can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and can also help to lower your energy bills.
Types of Attic Insulation
The most common types of attic insulation are fiberglass batts, cellulose insulation, spray foam insulation, and radiant barrier insulation.
Fiberglass Batts
If you have ever gone into your attic or maybe a family member’s attic and thought to yourself, “Wow, the walls look like cotton candy!” then you’ve seen fiberglass batts insulation. This is the most common type of insulation and is made up of fiberglass that is cut to fit between the attic joists. Regardless of being the most common insulation type, it may not be as effective as other types.
Cellulose Insulation
This type of insulation is made from recycled paper and treated with fire-retardant chemicals. It kind of looks like dust bunny particles. To install, it is blown into the attic space with a particular machine and then fills the gaps and crevices of your attic.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is notably one of the most efficient forms of insulation and can fill even the smallest gaps and cracks. Maybe you’ve seen it before – it looks like whipped cream (but don’t eat it!). It’s sprayed onto the attic surface and expands, providing an airtight seal that helps to fill gaps and keep unwanted heat out and cool air in.
Radiant Barrier Insulation
This type of insulation reflects heat away from the attic space instead of absorbing it. It is made of a reflective material that is installed on the bottom of your roof’s rafters. This can help to keep your home cool when the temperatures get hotter.
Signs of Insufficient Attic Insulation
If your insulation has aged over 10 to 15 years old, it’s probably time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. Over time, insulation can settle, compress, or otherwise become damaged. Your attic insulation is susceptible to rodents and pests if you have something about your home drawing them in. Exposure to water damage, tears, gaps, or compression can also be damaging to your attic insulation, in which case – it’s time to replace it.
Additionally, if your energy bills have been spiking mysteriously, this could be a sign that your attic insulation is in need of an upgrade.
If you notice any of these signs, call our friendly team right now for an attic insulation inspection. We’ll determine if your attic insulation needs to be repaired or replaced and get started.
- Uneven Room Temperatures
- High Energy Bills
- Drafts
- Ice Dams
- Pest Infestations
Uneven temperatures
If some rooms in your home are much colder or warmer than others, this may be a sign that your attic insulation is in need of professional care. Bad insulation causes heat to escape or come into the house, which can make the work of your HVAC system kind of pointless.
High energy bills
If your attic is not properly insulated, your HVAC systems have to work harder to maintain the temperature your thermostat is set at, which will burn a hole in your pocket over time.
Drafts
If you feel drafts or cold air coming from the attic, this could be a sign that your insulation is not properly sealed or you have gaps – which could be a sign of pests or water damage.
Ice Dams
Icicles forming on the edge of your roof or even in your gutters could signal that your insulation isn’t sufficient. Ice dams can form when heat escapes from your attic, which melts existing snow and refreezes along the edge of your roof.
Pest Infestations
Lastly, if you notice that there are gaps or holes in your insulation, you probably have a pest infestation.
Maintaining Attic Insulation
Did you know that you need to maintain your attic insulation? Maintaining attic insulation is important because, over time, insulation can settle, become compressed, or be severely damaged. Because of this, your home may become less energy efficient, and your home will feel less comfortable temperature-wise.
From time to time, you may need to inspect your attic for obvious signs of trouble. But for those hard-to-see symptoms, you may need to hire one of our professional HVAC technicians to inspect your attic insulation. They may need to add additional insulation if needed.
When you have your attic insulation properly maintained, it can help to reduce your energy bills and improve the overall comfort of your home.
Mom-Approved Attic Insulation Experts!
At AirWorks Solutions, we know a thing or two about attic insulation, and we can help you! When you schedule a consultation, you’ll be greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable Mom-Approved HVAC Technician that’s friendly and professional. We will answer any questions you have and help you decide what kind of attic insulation works best for your home. We always conduct our services in a professional manner and leave your space as clean as we found it. That’s our promise, from our family to yours!
Upgrade your home’s attic insulation for a “Mom-Approved” way to improve your home’s energy efficiency with AirWorks Solutions today!
