Types of Attic Insulation

The attic of a house is a major "target" for an insulation upgrade. Here's why: Many houses don't have adequate attic insulation, which means that too much heat escapes during winter months, and too much heat comes into the house on hot summer days. Both of these failings compromise comfort and force homeowners to pay exorbitant heating and cooling expenses.

It's also important to note that most of the air exfiltration (interior air that escapes outside) in a typical house takes place through the attic due to convection and leaks between the attic and the living space below. As conditioned air leaks out, a matching volume of outside air is drawn into the house through leaks in lower locations (air infiltration). This undesirable air exchange also wastes energy and money.

Choosing the right type of attic insulation

Are you interested in cutting your heating and cooling costs by as much as 40%? You don't have to replace your HVAC system to achieve these savings. All you need to do is have your attic air-sealed and insulated to levels recommended by the Dept. of Energy. Unlike an HVAC system, attic air sealing and insulation are "once-and-done" improvements that never require maintenance or replacement. They just keep saving you money for as long as you own your house.

There are a number of different insulating strategies for attics. To make sure the right type of insulation is chosen and the right techniques are used, it's smart to contact a full-service insulation contractor like Dr. Energy Saver. Your choices will depend on numerous factors, such as whether or not your attic is used for storage and the presence of ductwork or air handlers in the attic.

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