Having the correct amount of insulation in your attic doesn’t only keep your house comfy. It can help you save lots of money on your heating and cooling costs.
If you are concerned your residence is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have enough attic insulation, now is a great time to add more. Having enough insulation helps even out your house’s temperature and stop wintertime issues like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you get ready to begin installing more installation in your attic, you may be considering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Homes, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your current insulation is damp or damaged, you can typically keep it. We advise working with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Ravenna, like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is installed accurately and meets building code standards. Accurate installation also means you’ll reap maximum benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop in advance of adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was often installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should assume it contains asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a pro who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Add
ENERGY STAR® recommends attics should have at the very least 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value gauges how efficiently insulation can divert heat. If you have a home in a northern climate, up to 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also influenced by the style of insulation you have, its depth and how it’s installed. When you work with a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ll take all the speculation out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be added.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning determines the ideal insulation for your attic by taking into account where you own your home, your budget and how much insulation you need to install. Here are the types of attic insulation we install.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation is installed in sheets cut to fit your attic and is built from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most often installed, due to its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but delivers excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Often made from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green solution that provides great performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A distinct machine is used to add blown-in attic insulation, which could contain fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good choice if you have a lot of little areas to fill, including around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is economical and fire resistant, you’ll also have to take into account that it can retain moisture and decrease as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It offers the best barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is ideal for sealing cracks and other hard-to-access spots. It’s highly durable, doesn’t go down and offers a natural sound wall.
When you need to install additional in your attic, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to offer experienced advice and great service that comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Contact us at 330-236-4793 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment right away.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.