Insulating your attic

Cut energy costs by making sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. As heat rises, the attic is the first place to check to make sure it’s properly insulated. There should be at least 12 inches (preferably 15 inches) of insulation in the attic.

Insulation is assigned an R value to indicate how good it is. For every 1 inch of insulation there is an R-value of 3. So 15 inches of insulation is R 45. That’s the minimum you need to have to keep heat from escaping. The temperature in the attic should be about the same as the temperature outside.

A properly ventilated attic will decrease the chance of condensation moisture collecting on the rafters or inside the ceiling. One or more whirlwinds and a few winds should be enough. Blown insulation is widely used as attic insulation for a number of reasons. A professional home insulation contractor can quickly blow a continuous blanket to the proper depth to achieve the R45 recommended attic insulation. Many contractors offer prices that include the insulation itself and installation – typically less than the retail price homeowners would have to pay for the insulation alone. Additionally, a properly installed continuous layer of blown-in insulation does a better job of stopping air leaks and subsequent heat loss.

Meticulously installed batt or batt insulation will outperform a continuous blanket of blown insulation. However, any failures or errors during the installation will decrease performance. If you have a roof hatch to access the attic, make sure it is properly insulated as well. Build a 15-inch-tall cardboard box around the inside edge of the door and fill it with insulation. Make sure there is a good seal where the door meets the ceiling.