Improving Blown Fiberglass with Blown Cellulose Insulation

Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Dr. Energy Saver, is on the job again, this time helping improve the overall comfort of this ranch-style home by properly insulating the attic space.

Ranch-style homes typically have a close-to-the-ground profile, meaning what's in the attic space above can significantly affect the living space below it. The homeowner of this particular house claimed that the living space was either too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, so he had the attic insulated with blown fiberglass.

With no apparent results felt from the fiberglass insulation, Dr. Energy Saver was called in to fix the problem. Using hand-held thermal imaging cameras the crew quickly identified that the loose fiberglass in the attic wasn't helping much.

Let Heat Escape with a Ridge Vent

The purpose of a ridge vent is to let humidity escape from a buildings attic space. These types of vents are typically installed at the peak of a sloped roof, allowing the warm, radiant heat from below an easy getaway.

It's important to understand that ridge vents can get clogged with dust and pollen from the air circulation entering and escaping the attic space. When humid air like this has the ability to build-up, there's a great chance for mold to form, which can rot organic material within the attic. Dr. Energy Saver is replacing the current ridge vent on this home so that the air flow will circulate nice and fresh.

Proper Ventilation for Fans to Exhaust

In most cases, bath fans exhaust warm and moist air out of the bathroom and into the attic. Dr. Energy Saver checks to make sure the bath fan(s) are properly vented outside the home to dismiss mold growth.

Insulation Etiquette

Across the attics surface, this attic has a "sea" of blown fiberglass insulation, which may look nice but makes the upcoming task difficult. The fiberglass insulation already installed blocks access to areas of the attic, making simple tasks such as air-sealing openings and gaps around wiring and piping more challenging.

There are many important steps to take before insulation is blown in the attic. Things we consider for an insulation project include: air sealing cracks and gaps, caulking openings in construction and installing air-sealed boxes around recessed light fixtures. It's also important to make sure that there is a dam around chimneys, and that the soffit vents will not be blocked by insulation.

Blown Fiberglass Won't Stop Air Flow

Since this particular home already had several inches of loose fiberglass in the attic, the specialists of Dr. Energy Saver opted for adding a layer of blown cellulose on top of the fiberglass. Blown cellulose has a higher density and a higher R-value than fiberglass. The denser cellulose material on top of the fiberglass insulation will help in two ways: it will help stop the air flow through the fiberglass and add overall R-Value to the attic insulation.

Dr. Energy Saver Keeps You Cool in the Summer

This ranch style house will now be more comfortable for every season with the newly added blown cellulose insulation. There will be less of a need for the heating and cooling systems to be running, ultimately lowering the monthly energy bills for this homeowner.

Contact your local Dr. Energy Saver today to improve the comfort of your home!