According to the Department of Energy, proper home insulation could offer energy savings of up to 20% for the average US homeowner.
Of course, that involves whole-house insulation—which includes your attic. Attics with poor insulation can cost you big on your energy bills. But even if you’re redoing your insulation, how do you make sure you’re making the most of the project?
We’ve put together a list of some of the most common attic insulation mistakes to watch out for as you tackle this task.
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Not Sealing the Entire Attic
If you fail to seal the entire attic, your home insulation is incomplete. Unsealed floors are a common mistake, for example. In addition, it’s also important to pay attention to every opening in the area, including any that house your ductwork, wires, plumbing, lights, and vents, as well as any openings for your chimney flue.
Don’t forget to check for gaps in your attic’s insulation, as even tiny ones can make the entire project less energy efficient.
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Sealing Your Eave Vents
While it’s important to seal the space around your eave vents, you don’t want to cover them completely. Ventilation in dark spaces of your home can be critical, as stagnant air invites condensation and mold.
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Using the Wrong Insulation
When replacing your insulation, it’s critical to make sure you’re actually installing the right type of insulation for your home.
Most homeowners reach for fiberglass batt insulation, which is easy to find and install in addition to being affordable. However, it’s important to pay close attention to the R-value, which measures the heat resistance of the product. An option with a higher R-value will protect you from heat loss better than one with a lower R-value.
If your home is in a cold-weather climate, a higher R-value is the way to go, while homes in the south and midwest may be better off with a lower R-value product.
In addition, you should know whether the type of insulation you’re using is flammable, as these types should never be installed anywhere near heating elements in your attic.
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Using Cheap Materials
Redoing your attic’s insulation can feel like a costly endeavor. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a long-term investment, and one that can pay off in the long run.
Estimates show that adding insulation to your attic can lower heating and cooling costs by $600 per year—if done right! Make sure to buy the best products you can reasonably afford, and prepare to reap the benefits in long-term energy savings.
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Doing It on Your Own
While many homeowners consider attic insulation to be a DIY project, especially when their budget for insulation is small, it can be a complex project. It’s often hard to tell if you’ve done everything correctly, or if you’ve made critical mistakes until you’ve invested a great deal of valuable time and money. And unlike with removable insulation blankets for commercial properties, you can’t simply remove your insulation as needed.
Leaving this difficult work to an insulation installation service is a great way to make sure things go right the first time around.
Avoid These Common Attic Insulation Mistakes
Unfortunately, even if you’ve taken the time and money to redo your insulation, these common attic insulation mistakes can keep you from the energy savings you’d hoped for. Make sure to keep them in mind as you tackle this complex project. Don’t forget to also consider partnering with an expert team for additional help!
Looking for more of the home and lifestyle tips you need to know? Check out our other recent posts.
