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Tips on Installing Attic Insulation

Your home is so much more than a safe space. It’s where you rest and relax in comfort. The right temperature can go a long way in ensuring this. Heating and cooling your home accounts for 50% to 70% of the energy used. Losing that warmth or coolness means you’re also losing energy and money.

You can save about 15% on heating and cooling by having the right amount of insulation in your home. The most important place to add insulation is the attic.

Installing attic insulation will keep heated air from escaping during winter. The insulation will also prevent hot summer air from reaching the living areas below. Here are some tips to consider when insulating your attic.

Check the Existing Insulation

Your first step is to check what you have to work with. The amount of attic insulation depends on your home’s location. Some zones need thicker insulation while others must have thinner ones. You can verify the insulation amount with your city’s building department.

Checking current insulation also tells you if the material is still effective. You’ll also know if it needs replacing. For example, loose and lightweight insulation might mean you need to change it. Make sure you call a professional for older homes. Any structure built before 1990 could contain asbestos.

Close All Holes and Penetrations

You should also examine the attic floor. Watch out for vents. There might also be holes where pipes, hoses, and wires poke up. You need to seal holes and gaps with a fireproof caulk. This will prevent warm air from seeping inside the attic.

Leave No Voids

Leaving space around or between insulation is a common mistake. It can also be a very expensive one. Leaving a void between joists means the insulation becomes useless. These will let warm air flow into the empty space. It wastes energy and could push the furnace or heater to work harder. Your electric bill could go up and your heater’s lifespan could shorten because it’s forced to work harder.

You can ensure there are no spaces by cutting insulation and fitting it to every gap. Don’t force it down on the space because this will compress the insulation. And compressed insulation is less effective. It’s better to lay insulation rolls perpendicular to the ceiling joists. This makes sure you cover the whole area.

Watch Out for Recessed Light Fixtures

Homeowners should also consider the type of light fixtures they have. It’s best not to lay insulation on top of recessed light fixtures. These generate a lot of heat. It could cause the insulation to ignite and start a fire.

Insulation companies say it must be at least 3” away from recessed light fixtures. IC-rated fixtures are safer though. Insulation Contact recessed lights allow you to lay insulation right on top of it.

Seal the Attic Entrance

Every home will have an entrance to the attic. This can be a pull-down staircase or a fold-back door. Some homes will only have a hatch or access panel. Whatever your home has, make sure these openings are also insulated. Like any other void or opening, it will push warm air into the attic. It’s why it’s crucial that you place insulation on these openings. Think about how big a door or hatch is. Its opening can be as big as 8 sq. ft. That will cause serious loss of heat.

You can opt to lay the insulation on top of the attic access. But this also means you would have to fix and reposition it whenever you go to the attic. You’ll be better off using a ready-to-install insulated attic door. You can also look for a stair cover for the attic. These will create an airtight seal on the attic door. These covers are also affordable and easy to install.

Work with the Top Insulation Contractor

Having the perfect temperature in your home is a good dream. You can turn it into a reality with A Affordable Insulators. We’re a family-owned company based in Houston, Texas. We specialize in ideal solutions to your attic insulation needs. It’s why we’re the state’s best insulation company. Our technicians are all trained in various types of insulation. We specialize in spray foam insulation and loose-fill attic insulation. We also do residential and commercial fiberglass insulation. We also do attic insulation removal. Give us a call at 832-243-7484. You can also email us at Insulationform@aaffordableinsulators.com.

 

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