Proper Attic Insulation Can Help Save You Energy This Season

Perhaps more than any other part of your home, the attic is where insulation can do the most good. You want effective attic insulation for all seasons, since a poorly insulated attic can drive up heating bills in the winter and cooling bills in the summer.

Why is Attic Insulation Important?

First it’s important to realize that insulation’s main purpose is to resist the movement of heat from one place to another — from outside to inside in the winter and vice versa in the summer. While some types of insulation also will block air movement, in most cases, you’ll need to seal openings in your home’s outer perimeter (and between the attic and living spaces). Air sealing works in tandem with insulation to keep your home comfortable warm in winter and cool in summer.

If the attic lacks proper insulation, air sealing and ventilation, heat that builds up all day in the summer will transfer down into living spaces, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. In the winter, heat from living spaces will transfer up into the attic, which, once again, makes the chore of your HVAC system all the more difficult (and energy inefficient).

Attic Insulation Options

• The most common insulation is fiberglass rolls (batts or blankets) that you can lay down between beams and joists in the attic.
• Rigid-foam insulation can be cut to fit whatever requirements you have in the attic, though this option isn’t the best one for complete coverage. Some heat is bound to move through openings between the foam boards.
• Loose-fill insulation, made of fiberglass or some other material, can be blown into whatever space you need to have insulated. This provides complete coverage, though it can be expensive. You might also need to hire a professional who has the proper equipment.
• Spray-foam insulation differs from the other types in that effectively stops the movement of both heat and air. Spray foam can be expensive and isn’t as widely used as other types of insulation.

To discuss attic insulation for your Portland area home, please contact us at Roth Home & Cooling.