An attic insulation inspection should be performed regularly to ensure the heat transfer is blocked. Insulation materials are great energy savers, but take into account that there are different types and materials for attic insulation, so first you have to determine what kind of insulation you need. Depending on your needs and budget, you can opt for concrete slab insulation, layers of asphalt, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, radiant barrier attic insulation system, bubble foil insulation, or other energy saving solutions for residential insulation.
There are two main types of attic insulation inspection that need to be carried out to ensure your home is energy efficient. During a visual inspection, the home inspector will check if the top of the beams (on the current insulation) are visible or not. If they are visible, more insulation can be added. If the beams cannot be visually seen, the home inspector may move some of the insulation in order to check the height over the beams. Barely covered beams will not suffice, the distance should be considerable.
Measuring Insulation Ability – R Value
To measure the ability of insulation to resist heat transfer, there is a technique called “R value” which rates the flow of heat or cold in the house. If the R value is high it means the insulation is effective for conserving energy. Consequently, before you purchase more insulation for installation calculate the current R value instead of how thick or heavy it is. If you have rock wool and fiberglass insulation is lower than 11 inches and cellulose insulation is lower than eight inches, more insulation is necessary.
Attic Insulation Inspection – Two Things to Watch Out For
- air leaks – check if there is any kind of sealing air leakage in the attic, and note that any cracks or openings in the ceiling may let the outside air come inside the house. Before installing more insulation, all cracks and openings must be fixed, and just by fixing those your energy savings will increase significantly.
- water leaks – just like with air leaks, the ceiling must be inspected for water leakage as well. Check for stains and marks that will indicate any kind of water pip or roof leaks and heating or air conditioning leaks. Such issues result in poor insulation and need to be fixed immediately.
Energy Audit
From time to time, make an appointment for a professional energy audit to have a qualified inspector check your current attic insulation. A professional will be able to give you valuable advice on whether you require more insulation or not, and if you do, how much insulation you should add.
Attic Insulation Tips for Energy Savings
Proper insulation can have a huge impact on your heating and cooling bills, because if your home is not properly insulated you will lose the heat and air conditioning, thus wasting money and energy.
If you don’t have a properly insulated home, first of all start by looking at an insulation map, broken down by regions to let you know what types of insulation you need and how much you should have. Then, preview your attic and determine if it really needs more insulation. Choose the type of insulation based in your area’s humidity, because if you get he wrong type in very wet areas, you may face mold or mildew problems in time. Fix any leaks that you may have in your roof, and consult the map to help you choose the proper type of insulation.
Many homeowners and home buyers have come to request a full home inspection only when they want to buy or sell a house, but having your home inspected at least once a year can help you prevent serious issues and costly repairs. An attic insulation inspection should be performed on a regular basis, because even the most effective insulation wears down in time.
having a maintained insulation would really help you to save money to avoid bigger expenses.