Should I Replace My Attic Insulation?
The Purpose of Attic Insulation
Attic insulation helps reduce heat and cooling loss and also helps prevents hot or cold outside air from entering the home by reducing the airflow between your home and the outside. The better insulated your attic, the less time you will need to run your heater or air conditioner while lowering your heating and cooling bills each month. Good attic insulation can help maintain a stable temperature in your home and attic by protecting your home and plumbing system from extreme temperature fluctuations,
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of good attic insulation and when to consider replacing it.
How to Tell If Your Attic Is Well-Insulated
The first step to determine if you have enough insulation is to visually inspect your attic or crawlspace. If your attic is unfinished, this will be easy. You should be able to see your insulation installed throughout the attic (it may be on the walls, ceiling or between floor joists). If you donandrsquo;t see any insulation, you should give Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar a call. Our insulation experts can come out and inspect your property and help identify the areas in which you may need insulation installed.
If your attic is finished, identifying whether you have enough insulation is a little trickier. We recommend looking at your utility bills and the comfort levels in your home. If you struggle to keep warm air inside in the winter, or your utility bills are significantly higher than you think they should be, it could be a sign that you donandrsquo;t have enough insulation. Additionally, if your attic space is much colder than the rest of your home, or is very close to the outside ambient temperature, this may also signal that you need to boost your insulation.
Signs You Should Replace the Insulation in Your Attic
Insulation can last for around 25 years if well-maintained. However, it should be checked every five to ten years, depending on its age. As insulation ages, it can sag or deteriorate, leading to energy loss. Additionally, if your insulation has gotten wet, it may need to be replaced much sooner. Damp or moist insulation is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, both of which can cause serious health problems and spread throughout your home.
Signs you may need to replace your attic insulation include:
- Your energy bills are increasing
- The temperature in your home is inconsistent
- Your HVAC system runs more frequently to maintain the preferred temperature
- You smell mold or mildew in your attic
- You see signs of deterioration
If youandrsquo;ve recently had a pest infestation in your attic, you may need to replace your insulation sooner rather than later. Animal waste and nesting can create a serious health hazard in your home and significantly damage your insulation.
Why We Recommend Fiberglass Insulation
Several different insulation materials are on the market, including cellulose, mineral wool and fiberglass. While there are benefits to each type, at Valley, we tend to recommend blown-in fiberglass insulation for a few reasons. Namely, we recommend AttiCatandtrade; Expanding Blown-In PINK FIBERGLASandtrade; Insulation.
The benefits of this type of insulation include the following:
- It is non-combustible
- It is non-corrosive
- It does not support mold growth
- It can help reduce heating costs by 20%
If youandrsquo;re struggling to keep your home warm this winter, your problem may be your insulation. Schedule an inspection with our team at Valley. We will review your property and the issues youandrsquo;re having, diagnose the problem and provide you with solution options. In addition to attic insulation, we can also help assess any associated issues with your HVAC or electrical system.
Please send us a message online to schedule an attic insulation inspection today.