Homeowners should consider upgrading attic insulation for one reason alone: Enough of the fluffy stuff upstairs means better comfort downstairs. The government establishes guidelines for how much insulation homeowners should have in their attics, because without, a natural effect takes place that stifles how pleasant your home will be in warmer weather.
Insulation + Ventilation = Cool home
Insulation in the attic doesn’t just stop heat from escaping on cold days. When it’s really warm, homes need insulation to stop heat from infiltrating into spaces. The attic, it turns out, is a key place where too much heat can wreak havoc.
Limiting heat buildup in the attic helps contribute to a healthy home. As the sun beats down on the home’s roof, heat builds up there, attempting to move through the structure and into the attic space. If it makes its way in, the attic temperature can soar to uncomfortable and unsafe heights. Without sufficient insulation on the attic floor (or the ceilings of your home), that heat would move into your living spaces, driving up cooling costs and creating a hot, suffocating place to hang out. A well-ventilated attic also helps prevent heat build-up, allowing for natural air flow to move the super-heated air out of the attic.
Even if you have insulation in your attic, it may not be enough to prevent heat from entering the home. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that blown-in, or loose fill, attic insulation be at least foot deep on the attic floor, depending on which climate zone you live in. The thicker the
better. It is not uncommon to see 15″ to 20″ of insulation in a well-insulated attic. If your attic insulation is old, wearing out or damaged from condensation, you may not notice a drastic effect in your home but you would experience a gradual, significant difference in comfort. You’ll definitely notice air conditioning bills climbing, too.
Attic insulation: The key to a cool home
With the key role attic insulation plays for homeowners, it doesn’t make sense to ignore it. Before temperatures really soar and it becomes dangerous to enter the attic, contact a professional to help you evaluate the insulation. With help from USA Insulation, you’ll get an expert consultation and advice you can use about foam insulation to drive comfort in your home.
