Keeping your home warm and comfortable in a cold climate is expensive. Dialing up the temperature on the thermostat kills the energy efficiency of your home and raises your utility bills. A smart way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to ensure your home is properly insulated. Installing proper insulation in an unfinished attic is one of the most effective ways to see energy savings.
Seal all air leaks.
Sealing air leaks before adding insulation is key to ensuring your insulation is effective. The air-seal around attic windows can be fixed with expanding spray foam. Gaps that are 1/4 inch or less around pipes, wires, exhaust fans, and ducts can be sealed with fire-blocking caulk. Any gaps and air leaks around the chimney and flue can be sealed with metal flashing and high-temperature caulk or furnace cement.
Another key part of the preparation stage is to fix roof leaks that allow moisture into the home. Look for signs of water stains on the roof or mold on attic joists and existing insulation. Not all types of insulation are rated for contact with light fixtures. Use plywood or metal flashing to box out a safety gap around light fixtures. It’s against the building code to vent exhaust into an attic space. It’s imperative to direct all exhaust fans and vents outside to ensure humidity doesn’t get trapped in the insulation.
Your home’s roof keeps you safe from the elements such as high winds, rain, snow, and cold temperatures. Performing a roof inspection is the best way to assess the conditions of shingles and detect leaks and gaps. A professional roofing company can give your roofing system a thorough inspection to ensure the necessary repairs are made to keep it in perfect condition.
Working with the best roofing contractors with years of roofing experience means great customer service, competitive prices, and quality work. The professionals at All County Exteriors offer roof repair, roof replacement, new roof construction, and asphalt shingles replacement. The Better Business Bureau-rated roofing company can also help with siding, gutters, decks, windows, doors, and exterior renovations. When it comes to roof work, it’s best to leave your roof in the hands of pros.
Choose your preferred insulation type and material.
There are two different types of insulation to choose from, loose-fill or batt insulation, a.k.a. blanket insulation. Loose-fill insulation fibers are blown into place to the desired insulation level and density. This type of insulation is a good option for attics with non-standard joist spacing and a lot of obstructions and penetrations, and attics with existing insulation. Batt insulation comes in rolls of varying thickness to fit between joists or studs. Batts have a foil facing that serves as a vapor barrier, and it can be layered to achieve the desired amount of insulation. Batt insulation is a good option for attics with standard joist spacing, no existing insulation, few obstructions and penetrations, and sufficient headroom to move around.
The smart way for homeowners to protect their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is to keep up with regular maintenance. A well-performing HVAC system keeps your home comfortable year-round while improving energy efficiency. The pro technicians at Total Comfort Heating & Air have years of experience providing heating repair, air conditioning services, and preventative maintenance at competitive prices. Installing attic insulation will improve the energy efficiency of your home so that you can enjoy lower monthly energy bills while keeping your home comfortable.
Preserve the attic’s airflow.
Avoid covering up the soffit vents if you stuff insulation along the eaves. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent is responsible for keeping the roof cool and preventing ice dams. Attach baffles to the roof sheathing near the eaves to create a gap that prevents insulation from touching the roof’s underside. Adding insulation to the attic floor is an effective way to insulate it. You’ll have to remove the plywood from the attic floor to install enough insulation.
Insulating your attic is a good idea if you live in a cold climate. When your home has enough insulation, it becomes more energy-efficient and your energy bills become more manageable.
