Attic Insulation Effectiveness

An attic floor that is thoroughly air sealed.

Attic insulation effectiveness.

Commonly used and inexpensive but fibers can irritate lungs and skin though less so than in years past thanks to better manufacturing and it s less effective at blocking airflow than other. Handy homeowners can install blown in insulation in the attic. Attic insulation that is less than r 19. You ve got to do the calculations to find where your optimum is.

On the flip side if your insulation levels are that low you would probably see more bang for. The effectiveness of an insulation material s resistance to heat flow also depends on how and where the insulation is installed. In general an attic s r value should be. When it is most effective attic ventilation fans work best if the attic floor is thoroughly sealed hvac equipment is well insulated and sealed and attic insulation is less than r 19.

Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need. Insulation level are specified by r value. Because of this compression loose fill insulation r value does not change proportionately with thickness. To be effective the reflective surface must face an air space.

That doesn t mean all those higher levels of insulation are cost effective though. To determine how much insulation you need for your climate consult a local insulation contractor. A radiant barrier is designed to increase the effectiveness of your thermal envelope. The bottom line is that although you can certainly put r 40 insulation under your slab or r 80 insulation in your walls it may not be the smartest thing to do.

By reducing the amount of radiant heat reaching the insulation in your attic the insulation remains cooler and is able to keep your home more comfortable. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Recycled glass or sand that s melted and spun into fibers. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Blowing insulation into walls is best left to the pros because it involves drilling into stud spaces that may contain electrical. An attic fan can be used temporarily during the summer to decrease the electric bill but it won t be the best option in the long run. It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it. Hvac equipment in the attic that is well insulated and sealed.

The higher the r value the more effective an insulating material is. Attic ventilation fans could be effective if your home has.