It may come as a surprise to hear that the attic in your home can provide you significant energy savings. Without the proper insulation in place to keep the air in your home; the money you’ve invested in your power bills may have well been burned. Ambrose Air, Inc. has been a family-owned AC repair and HVAC company in Orlando for over 25 years. They are prepared to tackle a variety of Orlando AC repair issues, including troubleshooting, AC replacement, and general repair services.
Why Insulating Your Attic is Important
You may be thinking about how an area in your home which is used for storage can be so vital to your home’s energy efficiency. Adequate attic insulation and ventilation are two critical factors in maintaining the temperature and overall comfort level in your home. Attic insulation is imperative when it comes to keeping cold air in your home during the Florida weather.
How Attic Insulation Works
If you have air going out through your attic, your HVAC system needs to work harder to heat or cool your house. Installing additional or higher quality attic insulation will help keep the air inside your home. A well-insulated attic will prevent your system from having to work as often, which will save you energy and money. Cost savings fluctuate on a variety of factors such as resident’s habits, whether you have a smart thermostat and the type of HVAC system you have. Typically, homeowners can save 20 percent on their energy bills with proper attic insulation. Regardless of where you live, adequate attic insulation can help you in reducing normal wear and tear on your heating and cooling system.
Different Types of Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, which is referred to as R-value. The higher your R-value is, the better your insulation is. Here are the three main kinds of attic insulation:
- Roll-on insulation is usually the cheapest kind of attic insulation due to its quick and straightforward process of being installed. Roll-on insulation is flexible, which allows it to fit tightly in-between studs and rafters. The tight fit helps the air stay in your house.
- Blown-in insulation is more efficient since it allows the installation to fit in smaller crevices where it could leak out. Also, blown-in insulation is moisture resistant, which protects your home from mold and odor.
- Spray foam insulation is known to be the most energy efficient since it expands and tightly plugs all the holes where air could leak from. Spray foam insulation also lasts longer than other types of attic insulation.
Signs You Should Replace your Attic Insulation
- If you’re feeling a draft in your house, it’s coming from cracks in your walls and uneven air pressure. Noticing chill drafts in your home can be a sure sign it’s time for new attic insulation.
- People tend to think of the attic as being a section of your house that’s stuffy and hot. However, your attic space can become prone to moisture-related issues. Wet attic insulation can attract mold and mildew. So, if you see any signs of water leaking from your ceiling, this could mean there is an exposure in your attic insulation.
- Attic insulation can provide a beautiful home for rats and other pests. If your attic hasn’t been cleaned out in a while, it could become vulnerable to rodents, insects, and possibly birds. If you have old insulation in your attic, then it’s probably time to replace the materials before various creatures start to dwell in your insulation.
How often should you get Your Installation Replaced?
A lot of homeowners think they only have to replace their insulation one time. Although that is true under most conditions, your home’s insulation has a life expectancy of 100 years. On the contrary, as your insulation ages, it deteriorates over time. This is why it’s essential to get your attic insulation looked at once a year. Whether you just had attic insulation installed or it’s been decades. It’s still important to keep up with the maintenance of your attic insulation to ensure your HVAC system maintains a comfortable level temperature inside your home.