Improving Your Home’s Efficiency with the Right Attic Insulation
Choosing the right type of attic insulation for your home depends on so many location-related factors. In a single state, there can be as many as five distinct climate zones! So how do you know how to insulate your attic best?
In most cases, a professional energy audit is a good way to begin. A professional energy auditor will assess your home’s internal ecosystem to evaluate its energy efficiency, which will cover the your current attic insulation. The auditor then tells you whether you should add more insulation or install a new system altogether.
Again, depending on the state you’re in, the U.S. Department of Energy will recommend the R-value that works best for your attic insulation. The R-value is a thermal resistance measurement, or the amount of heat flow the insulation can resist.
With a higher R-value, you get better insulation and a more energy-efficient home. The best R-value for your attic insulation will also be affected by your home’s exact location
In certain states, for example, the temperature variations between its northern and southern regions are the widest in winter. Thus, homes located north of the state need a little higher R-values compared to homes in the south.
Another factor that must be looked into is whether the attic insulation has excessive moisture. Such moisture usually comes from dripping water pipes, tiny roof leaks and appliances that are improperly vented. These can reduce the R-value of the insulation, giving rise to mold and mildew growth, which can be hazardous.
By wrapping the water heater and pipes with insulation, a home’s energy efficiency also substantially improves, especially if the heater or some stretches of the pipes are in colder sections of the property (for example, the attic or the basement.
Water heating accounts for about 15-20% of a home’s monthly costs. Moreover, when the water pipes are insulated, they can be prevented from freezing or bursting during the coldest months. It’s easy to see how your home can enjoy several long-term benefits just by installing proper attic insulation. In general, it will reduce your energy bills, make indoor temperature more comfortable any time of the year, and improve indoor air quality.
From a wider perspective, because your energy consumption from heating and cooling will now be reduced, your home’s carbon footprint will also be minimized. You might also look into a more environment-friendly approach to insulation, like using recycled materials or cotton.
In any case, spend time searching for a competent and trustworthy provider of attic insulation services. There are many options out there, but they are not all the same. Research goes a long, long way when deciding which one to choose.