There is no getting past the fact that heating a property in a chilly area during the winter is expensive. After a year in which heating-oil costs jumped significantly across the majority of the nation, the Department of Energy anticipates that prices for natural gas and heating oil will increase this winter in comparison to last.
In an ideal scenario, you would employ an energy auditor to assess the level of protection provided by the few inches of attic insulation you may already have and to identify potential problems, such as air leaks, that can be fixed to ensure that your insulation will function properly. However, do not worry if you are unable to spend a few hundred dollars on this service.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your upstairs master bedroom is consistently 8 to 10 degrees cooler and hotter than the rest of your house during the winter. So you climb up into your attic only to discover that insulation is missing!
You run the risk of more than just inefficient temperature control if your attic is uninsulated. We talked to a seasoned real estate agent and a few Neighborly home repair specialists to find out why attic insulation is crucial for the health of your home and what to do if your attic is uninsulated.
Table of Contents
The Cost Of Your Energy Will Increase.
Heat rises, so as the temperature drops, your costly HVAC system loses heat via your uninsulated attic. You can keep the heat inside your house and drastically lower your energy costs by investing in attic insulation.
Attic insulation is also advantageous in warmer areas. Your home is shielded from the heat the sun radiates off of your roof thanks to insulation that has been properly manufactured with a radiant barrier. As a result, you use your air conditioner less frequently.
Roofs Can Develop Ice Dams.
When your attic isn’t insulated, heat might escape through the roof during the cooler months, causing ice jams. Over time, these dams have an effect on the stability of your roof.
Seal The Area Effectively.
Make sure your attic is air sealed after the examination, which entails closing any gaps or openings that could let air pass between the inside and the outside. The desired temperature will be maintained as a result.
Caulk and expanding foam filling holes are common techniques for air sealing. Also keep in mind that attics often need some ventilation even with air sealing. Your roof ventilation system can be evaluated by an expert who can also advise you on how to maintain it.
Windows and Doors:
Leaks can also form around windows and doors, particularly older windows and doors where the weatherstripping — the rubber and felt barriers — has worn away. Because of this, your home loses heat even when the doors and windows are closed. The experts can assist you in identifying the best options to stop leaks if your weatherstripping is allowing air in (or if you are missing this crucial component). How much money will this save you? Your energy expenditures could decrease by as much as 10% to 15% just by adding weatherstripping!
Important Steps to Take Before Insulating
Remove these items from your to-do list to guarantee that your insulation will last for years and keep conditioned air inside your home, where it belongs.
⇒ Resolve Roof Leaks
Insulation’s enemy is water. It damages the air-trapping pockets that restrict heat movement and makes a haven for mould and mildew. As a sign of potential leaks, look for water stains on the roof sheathing or wet or mouldy places on the joists in the attic and the existing insulation.
⇒ Put Light Fixtures In Boxes.
Don’t let the material touch or cover recessed cans or lights from the floor below unless you’re using mineral-wool insulation or your fixtures are rated safe for contact with any sort of insulation. It poses a fire threat. Create a safety gap of at least 3 inches all around fixtures using hardware cloth, metal flashing, or leftover plywood.
⇒ Vents And Exhaust Fans Should All Be Pointed Outside.
Although venting any form of exhaust to an attic space is against construction codes, many home builders have gotten away with it. Correct that oversight to prevent humid exhaust air from accumulating and ruining your insulation.
Conclusion:
Insulate your attic as soon as possible to preserve your roof and reduce energy costs. Except in the driest of climes, uninsulated attics have condensation problems throughout the whole year (though in these climates, an uninsulated attic can hurt your HVAC over time). Ice dams and mould problems are particularly common in areas with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
As an alternative, you can hire a contractor $40 to $70 per hour in addition to the price of the insulation to install insulation.