Insulate Yourself Against High Energy Bills
In this day and age, we’re all searching for ways to save money and protect the environment without sacrificing quality of life. Like many friends and neighbors, we’ve all made a conscience effort to replace incandescent bulbs, lower our thermostats and draw the blinds. Every little bit helps. But what could help even more is making sure that your attic is properly insulated.
Not surprisingly, this energy-saving option does not readily occur to many of us since attic insulation isn’t exactly a hot topic at the dinner table. The only time it does appear on anyone’s radar is when we retrieve or put away the holiday decorations. Consequently, most homeowners don’t know much about attic insulation, aside from the strict warning we all heard as kids, “Don’t touch that fiberglass or you’ll start itching!” So here’s a quick lesson.
About Attic Insulation
An inadequately insulated attic allows the heat in your home to escape during the winter and enter during the summer, whereas the correct amount can significantly minimize the transfer of heat through the ceiling. In fact, you could reduce your heating and cooling bills up to 20% by simply adding the recommended amount of attic insulation.
How do you know whether or not your home has enough insulation? One way is by taking a quick look.
If you can see the floor beams of your attic, chances are your attic is under-insulated, but the only way to know for sure is by getting a professional to come out and take a proper measurement.
Keep in mind: What you want is someone who does this kind of professional analysis day-in and day-out. You probably do not want an electrician or plumber who does an occasional job here and there to attempt a true energy loss calculation. The insulation contractor you choose should be an expert at providing
quality attic insulation services. Be sure to ask these questions:
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they provide a written satisfaction guarantee?
- Are they properly insured to safeguard and show respect for your home?
- Do their employees go through full background checks?
If your home meets the
Department of Energy’s recommended R-Value level, you’re in good shape and there should be no charge. If it doesn’t, the contractor should top your insulation off, preferably with blown
cellulose insulation... which acts as a pest repellent, has excellent sound-controlling properties, and you’ll be pleased to hear, isn’t the least bit itchy. The entire process should take about 2-3 hours and won’t disrupt your home or cause an unsightly mess.
In the end, what good does a brand new super-efficient 21 SEER, variable-speed, home comfort system if all the warm and cool air—as well as the guaranteed energy savings—is going to go through the roof? Check your attic insulation today and book a home energy consultation, you could be saving a fortune tomorrow.