When it comes to home insulation, one of the first areas that come to mind is the attic. Do you know why attic insulation is important? Buildings have a natural airflow that draws inside air up and out. Adding insulation and sealing air leaks in an attic helps keep air that has already been heated inside your home, keeping your HVAC system from running unnecessarily and helping keep energy bills in line.
There are many ways to insulate an attic, with each option offering different levels of performance. Here are three ways to insulate your attic:
- Good: Adding blown-in fiberglass insulation. Adding blown-in fiberglass insulation to an existing attic increases R-value by adding a fresh blanket of insulating protection to your home. This is a basic method of upgrading attic insulation and a cost-effective option.
- Better: Adding insulation and sealing air leaks. Sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation dramatically improves home energy efficiency. In an existing home, attic insulation is removed and penetration points around the attic floor are sealed. After air sealing is complete, a fresh blanket of blown-in fiberglass insulation is installed. In a new home, penetration points around the attic floor are sealed before insulation is installed.
- Best: Insulating with spray foam. Spray foam insulation can be installed in an existing attic or the attic of a new home for optimal energy protection. Insulation is removed from the attic of an existing home and spray foam is installed along the roofline. This creates a thermal barrier along the attic ceiling to allow for storage along the attic floor. Spray foam insulation can be installed along the roofline of a new home as part of the construction process.
Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to save money on your energy bills each month. Are you wondering which insulation method is right for your home? Contact us to talk with one of our estimators.