Key Takeaways:
- Poor attic insulation can negatively impact home temperature, comfort, and energy efficiency levels.
- To identify poor attic insulation: look out for higher energy bills, frozen pipes, moisture problems, pests or rodents taking refuge in your home, cold walls/carpets/floors near exterior-facing walls, condensation on ceilings, and home temperatures that fluctuate or remain inconsistent.
- To get the full insulation benefits, install adequate attic insulation and make sure to call in a professional for an assessment.
- With proper insulation installation and maintenance, you can enjoy improved home comfort, better energy efficiency, and lower energy bills.
If you’re like most homeowners, you likely think of your attic as just a place to store boxes and holiday decorations. You may not know that your attic can affect your home’s energy efficiency – for better or worse. In this post, HT Roofing & Construction will look at some common attic insulation mistakes and how to avoid them. Read on to learn more!
Our Attics – Why Are They Important?
Your home’s attic is an essential part of its structure. It provides both a roof and insulation that helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Poorly insulated attics can cause issues such as higher energy bills, uncomfortable rooms, and excess moisture in the home. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to home attic insulation is not insulating enough or at all!
Regarding home attic insulation, you should always aim for an R-value of 60 or above. This means having at least 12 inches of fiberglass batt insulation or 8 inches of cellulose/rock wool insulation installed on your attic floor. If you’re unsure how much home attic insulation you need, it’s always best to consult a home insulation specialist.
However, even if you have the proper home attic insulation installed, there can still be issues that arise from poor installation or lack of maintenance. When home attic insulation is improperly installed, it can create gaps in the coverage and make your home vulnerable to air leakage, moisture infiltration, and more. Additionally, home attic insulation should be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as sagging or settling. If these signs are ignored, it could lead to lower energy efficiency and higher energy bills.
Let’s take a detailed look at what happens when your home has poor attic insulation.
Poor Attic Insulation – A Detailed Look
- Increase Energy Bills:
Suppose you’ve begun to notice that your home’s heat is either running constantly or cycling more frequently than usual. In that case, it might be time to evaluate your attic insulation. Electric bills will also begin to rise when the heat rises in a house with inadequate or no attic insulation as the HVAC system runs more often. The solution is to add or increase the amount of insulation in your attic until the problem has been resolved. Which route you choose depends on how extensive of an issue it truly is. - Damage to Roof Structure:
A poorly insulated attic can also harm the roof structure, creating areas of concentrated heat that can lead to damage over time. Additionally, this concentrated heat can increase your likelihood of ice dam formation during winter, further damaging your home. - Poor Indoor Air Quality:
A home with poor attic insulation can also lead to decreased indoor air quality. When the home cannot keep conditioned air in, it leads to drafts and other airflow issues that can cause a home’s air to stagnate. This means there’s less natural ventilation, creating an environment for mold, dust mites, and other allergens to grow and accumulate. - Unwanted Pests Inhabiting the Home:
Unfortunately, inadequate home attic insulation can also lead to unwanted pests inhabiting an area of the home that was once safe from critters! This is because rodents, birds, insects, and more are all great at finding warm places to nest in, and they’ll make their home in your attic if it’s not well-insulated. - Poor Home Resale Value:
Without proper home insulation, the value of your home can take a huge hit when it comes time for a home appraisal. Poor home insulation can lead to higher energy bills that could be transferred over to the buyer. And having issues like mold or pest infestations from poor home insulation will turn any potential buyers away. - Moisture in the Attic
Insulation problems are not only costly, but they can also be dangerous. Allowing heat to escape puts your family at risk during the winter, and moisture damage invites pests or rots into your attic. If you have noticed condensation or leaks in your attic, it’s time to take action. The problem may be with your roof or insulation – consult a professional to get an expert opinion and find the best solution for your home. - Different Temperature Zones
Suppose you notice temperature discrepancies from room to room in your house. In that case, it may indicate that the insulation in your attic needs improvement. When different areas of the house are at various temperatures, it creates discomfort and wasted energy. To fix this problem, you’ll need to ensure that your attic has adequate insulation. - General Draftiness
The last indication that your attic insulation needs repair or replacement is if your house feels drafty. The same airflow that permits the heat to escape also lets cold air inside. To ensure that poor attic insulation is the culprit, close all windows and doors tightly and see if you still feel drafts. If so, have a professional take a look at your attic’s insulation.
Also Read: Best Practices for Commercial Roof Repair & Maintenance
Last Thoughts
Poor attic insulation can significantly impact your home without you even realizing it. Look for these eight signs to determine if your home suffers from inadequate insulation. Be sure to call in a professional to assess the situation and make recommendations. With proper installation and maintenance, you can enjoy improved comfort, better energy efficiency, and lower energy bills — all of which are well worth the effort.
Looking For Attic & Roofing Solutions in Lees Summit? We Can Help!
At HT Roofing & Construction, we love what we do. Our experienced roofers and builders are passionate about quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service. With extensive hands-on experience in the roofing and construction industry, our team is excited to put our expertise to work for you. Plus, we’re always upgrading our skills and learning new ways to effectively help our clients with their roofing and construction needs.
We have worked on numerous roofing and construction projects in Lees Summit and surrounding areas. Our commitment to serving our community and being the best at what we do has earned us a reputation as one of the most reliable roofers in Kansas.
So, get a free estimate or book an appointment today.
- Increase Energy Bills:
