Having the proper amount of insulation in your attic doesn’t just keep your home cozy. It can help you save a lot of money on your energy bills.
If you are concerned your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have adequate attic insulation, now is a good time to install more. Having adequate insulation helps even out your home’s temperature and prevent wintertime troubles like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prepare to begin adding insulation to your attic, you may be thinking if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Instances, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your current insulation is damp or damaged, you can typically keep it. We advise calling a professional who specializes in attic insulation in Melbourne, like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is added properly and meets building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll get max benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like 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 contains asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a professional who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Have
ENERGY STAR® advises attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value determines how efficiently insulation can divert heat. If you live 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 use, its density and how it’s added. When you work with a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, our specialists 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 chooses the best insulation for your attic by including where you own your home, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we put in.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation comes in sheets cut to fit your attic and is made 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 offers excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Usually built from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green option that provides superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A distinct machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which can contain fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good choice if you have a lot of small spaces to fill, like around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is budget-friendly and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can take in moisture and decrease over time.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation changes to a hard foam on contact. It provides the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is ideal for sealing cracks and other hard-to-get at spots. It’s highly heavy duty, doesn’t go down and gives a natural sound wall.
When you need to install extra in your attic, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can assist you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to provide experienced advice and great service that includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Reach us at 321-428-7635 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment now.
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