Reduce Energy Loss by Insulating Your Attic

Heat rises, and so can your energy bill if your attic is not properly insulated for the winter. Up to half of a home’s energy loss can occur through the attic. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your home is losing heat through a poorly-insulated attic:

* Icicles form on your gutters and eaves even though there has not been warm enough weather or enough sunlight to melt the snow.

* Snow melts off of your roof quickly, even though it does not get direct sunlight.

* The living space in the main part of your house is hard to keep warm.

If you think your attic needs an insulation touch-up or a complete overhaul, it’s best to take care of it before the weather turns cold. Check for dust clinging to the edges of existing insulation – dust means air flow, so seal the leaky area beneath with spray insulation or other appropriate material. Just piling on more insulation will not solve the problem as effectively. Do not, however, insulate or seal attic ventilation vents.

You may wonder if it is worth it to go to all this trouble just to save a few bucks in the wintertime. For one thing, the savings can be significant. Also, there are more reasons than just energy savings to take into consideration. Here are some reasons why insulating your attic is important.

1. Decreased risk of fire
A well-sealed and insulated attic is less likely to harbor flammable conditions. If you use cellulose insulation with fire retardant, or wool insulation that is naturally flame-resistant, it is even less likely that your attic will be a fire hazard.

2. Less chance of pipes freezing
Insulating your attic makes your whole home warmer, decreasing the risk of water pipes freezing and breaking.

3. Quiet
You may not have considered this, but noise reduction is a benefit of insulating your attic. The thick insulation acts as a sound barrier.

4. Decreased risk of moisture damage
If there are air leaks, there are moisture leaks – air carries moisture with it, and mold and mildew will rapidly make themselves at home if it’s damp. Insulating your attic will make it dryer and less prone to mold and other damage caused by moisture, such as rotting wood.

Insulating your attic helps preserve the integrity and structure of your home. It also makes living inside your home safer and more comfortable.

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