Attic Insulation Is It Worth It

Insulating your home with spray foam insulation saves the average homeowner between 15 and 50 percent on their monthly energy bills.

Attic insulation is it worth it.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass. Even if you pay for higher quality materials upfront you are certain to recoup that money by saving on utility bills over time. A home energy company has proposed a solution that involves sealing air leaks in the bedroom ceilings attic floor sealing around the chimney weatherizing the attic hatch insulating a few roof areas that the builders missed and adding cellulose to the rest of the attic to bring it up to r 60.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. Beyond r25 in most climates has very very diminishing returns. I don t want to get into a diatribe but thermal mass think weight of your building is a much better indicator of energy savings than insulation. We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons.

If insulation is already in place look across the span of your attic. One of my bedrooms is built over the garage. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Attic insulation is one of the best investments you can make in a long term residence.

Insulation level are specified by r value. Unlike traditional thick layers of insulation radiant barrier is a thin reflective material. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Having air seal to the house and air flow in the attic is way more important than adding more insulation.

This room is the coldest room in the house and has a far greater heat loss than other parts of the house. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. If you re searching for does attic radiant barrier work or is radiant barrier worth it this article will help. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

In a finished attic add a layer of insulation up above the conditioned space. If insulation levels are at or below the floor joists you may want to add another layer over top as the materials can compress over time and become less effective. Radiant barrier is a home insulation type that is focused on reducing summer heat gain. Signs that your attic insulation is subpar include drafts uneven temperatures between rooms high heating cooling bills and ice dams in the winter i e those pretty icicles that hang from the.

Blown in spray foam batts and blankets. November 2015 in the main wall.