Having the correct insulation thickness in your attic doesn’t just keep your home energy efficient. It can help you save major money on your heating and cooling expenses.
If you are concerned your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have ample attic insulation, now is a great time to install more. Having ample insulation helps regulate your residence’s temps and halt wintertime issues such as ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you get ready to begin adding insulation to your attic, you may be considering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Homes, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your present insulation is damp or damaged, you can typically keep it. We advise working with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Fort Lauderdale, like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is added correctly and matches building code standards. Correct installation also means you’ll enjoy maximum benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding extra insulation. Vermiculite insulation was often installed in homes built before 1990. The EPA says you should presume it has asbestos, which can cause cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and contact a pro who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Put In
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value gauges how well insulation can stop heat. If you reside in a northern climate, up to 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also influenced by the type of insulation you have, its density and how it’s put in. When you work with a professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, our Experts take all the speculation out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be installed.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning chooses the best insulation for your attic by taking into account where you reside, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation is installed in sheets sized to fit your attic and is built from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most often installed, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but delivers greater protection against fire, water and sound. Usually made from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green option that delivers excellent performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to install blown-in attic insulation, which could include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a smart material if you have a lot of tight spaces to fill, such as around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is competitively priced and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can hold on to moisture and decrease as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It gives the best barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for plugging cracks and other tricky-to-access areas. It’s extremely long-lasting, doesn’t go down and offers a natural sound block.
When you are looking to to install extra in your attic, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to give knowledgeable recommendations and great service that comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Call us at 954-736-4314 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment right away.
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