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.

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.

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 to prevent warm air.

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.

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.

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.