Most homeowners do not take the time to really dissect their home’s inner workings. When you purchase a house, it is likely that you trust whatever the home inspector tells you, as well as your real estate agent. How many homeowners actually go along and inspect the home with the home inspector? After all, two sets of eyes are better than one, and you never really know what you’re going to get without checking yourself. One of the many areas to inspect is the attic space of a home.
There are so many possible functionalities in the attic space, that you want to ensure the proper insulation is in place. This will save you a lot of money on energy bills. Does attic insulation help in summer? Insulation acts as a sealer and trapper of air. Cold air in the summer and hot air in the winter.
Let’s take a look below at what this means and how we can better understand insulation.
What Are My Insulation Choices
When it comes to insulation, you have a variety of choices. Keep in mind that the effectiveness and cost vary for each type. Make sure that you have all of the information about each choice before deciding on which one to use in your attic. Let’s take a look below at the options.
- Fiberglass insulation – can provide you with energy-efficient protection for 80 to 100 years. However, if the insulation get wet or moisture is present, the lifespan drops to 15 to 20 years.
- Cellulose insulation – this type is eco-friendly and will block air movement. The average lifespan for this type is around 15 years. Also, it consists of recycled material, which could make 20-30 years.
- Mineral wood insulation – is available as blown-in insulation, batt insulation, or a roll of insulation. Can last between 30 and 80 years, as long as it is not disturbed or wet.
- Spray foam insulation – the most popular and reliable insulation. Not at all eco-friendly. Also, it will not move unless disturbed by animals or cut out of the spot.
How Does It Work
Understanding how heat travels throughout your home is a great way to help you determine which attic insulation works best for you. With that being said, heat can travel through your home as radiation, convection, or conduction. Having attic insulation will trap the heat and keep it where it needs to be. Let’s take a look below for more details regarding these three ways heat can travel through your home.
- Radiation – this can come into your home from a specific source. It occurs in the same manner that fire from a fireplace or wood stove heats your home, or how the sun warms the earth.
- Conduction – this is how heat travels through your home as the sun heats your roof. It works in the same manner as trapping heat in your body as your jacket absorbs the heat energy from the sun on a cold day. It is simply how heat travels through an object or a material to warm a space.
- Convection – this occurs when materials are able to trap the air. Insulation is great at trapping heat as the materials have spaces to do this. One example of this is when radiators in older homes push hot water across a metal heating apparatus. Over time, it will release the warm air into the room.
What Are The Benefits
Any homeowner would like to increase the benefits of owning a home, rather than reducing them. Let’s take a look at the benefits of insulation that keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Home Value
Having a properly insulated attic in your home increases the value of your home when it is time to sell. Having a newly insulated attic will prolong the lifespan of your roof and reduce your maintenance costs.
Energy-Efficient
Proper insulation in your attic will close off any open gaps. This will also help seal off your attic from the main living area. Thus, trapping the air that is needed for that time of year in your living space. Insulation will help keep your home cooler in the summer and this will save on your energy bills.
Air Quality Improves
Insulation that is installed in your attic not only keeps the cold air in during the summer but also keeps toxins and allergens from entering the home. There are pollutants everywhere in your air. Having insulation in the attic is just one way to trap those pollutants. In the summer, radon, mold, and smoke are typically more prevalent in your air, so keeping your attic insulation new and up-to-date will decrease the number of irritants from coming into your home.
Protects the Planet
Proper insulation reduces the amount that you have to run your HVAC system. Without insulation, the HVAC system has to work extra hard to heat or cool your home. This will cause the system to expel more harmful chemicals into the atmosphere and continue to pollute the planet. Insulation allows you to decrease the use of your system and regulates the temperature of your home. In turn, the amount of chemicals released by your heating and cooling system is minimal.
How Much Does It Cost
Depending on the type or material of insulation that you choose, the square footage of the attic space, and the installation fee of the contractor, will determine the cost of insulating your attic. The national average for attic insulation ranges from $1,900 to $2,300. Keep in mind that working around anything electrical might require additional support from a licensed electrician.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you understand the importance of insulation in your attic, it is a great idea to read up on how much insulation you need in the attic. You never want to hire a professional contractor without knowing some basic facts first. Having the square footage of your attic and selecting the type of insulation you would like will reduce any chance of a professional contractor taking advantage of your financial resources.
Next, you can research how to keep your attic space cool in the summer. In this case, you already know that insulation is the key to keeping your attic space cool in the summer and warm in the winter. So, getting a better understanding of insulation types and vent usage in your attic space is key.
Lastly, if you are in the attic and inspecting the insulation and notice that there is moisture and condensation, that is not good for your insulation. Also, you will want your local home inspection team to come out and inspect your roof and all of its working parts. If there is condensation in the attic, you will need to find the entry source and make the repair. If you fail to get this done, mold can begin to grow, and your insulation will rapidly degrade.
When Do I Call A Professional
If you are needing to replace or add insulation to your adding you will want to call on a professional contractor. Additionally, they will be able to properly seal the attic space and ensure that the insulation is properly installed. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. Your home inspection team can let you know what type of insulation works best for your area. Also, they can refer you to a reputable professional contractor that specializes in insulation projects.
Conclusion
Attic spaces can be one of many amazing amenities in a home. This extra air-filled space allows you to turn it into a storage space for holiday decorations or various items that will not melt or freeze in various temperature conditions. In some cases, attic space can also become a built-out extra room for entertaining or a bedroom.
Regardless of how it is used, having the proper insulation is necessary for keeping the home’s internal temperatures at a safe and pleasant degree. Also, making sure that the attic is sealed off properly and that the flow of air is not being blocked is important. Reach out to your local home inspection team to ensure that all is well in the attic space. Call Waypoint Property Inspection to inspect your home in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Orlando, Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and surrounding areas.
