Having the proper insulation thickness in your attic doesn’t merely keep your home 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 adequate attic insulation, now is a great time to put in more. Having adequate insulation helps even out your home’s comfort and prevent wintertime issues including ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin putting more insulation in your attic, you might be wondering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Cases, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your current insulation is soggy or damaged, you can often keep it. We suggest working with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Raleigh, like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is installed properly and matches building code standards. Accurate installation also means you’ll have maximum benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was commonly installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should assume it has asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and call a company who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Have
ENERGY STAR® recommends attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which gives an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value gauges how effectively insulation can block heat. If you reside in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is advised.
R-value is also influenced by the type of insulation you have, its thickness and how it’s installed. When you work with a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, our Experts take all the guesswork 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 best insulation for your attic by including where you live, your budget and how much insulation you need to have. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation is available in sheets trimmed to fit your attic and is made from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most popular, due to its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but offers greater protection against fire, water and sound. Typically constructed from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green option that gives great performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A distinct machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which may be made from fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good material if you have lots of small spots to fill, such as around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is economical and fire resistant, you’ll also have to take into account that it can take in moisture and flatten as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It provides the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is fantastic for sealing cracks and other tricky-to-reach areas. It’s very heavy duty, doesn’t go down and offers a natural sound barrier.
When you need to install additional in your attic, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can assist you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to give knowledgeable advice and outstanding service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Call us at 919-578-4329 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment right away.
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