An energy-efficient attic is one of the key ways you can save money on energy bills. As a property owner, First Defense Insulation specializes in assisting you with the air sealing and attic insulation issues that are plaguing your house.
While installing attic insulation can improve your energy use efficiency, below are some other tips to maximize the life and efficiency of your insulation.
Install Attic Access Insulation
Attic insulation requires a lot of planning before the execution stage. Most people only install attic insulation without worrying about the intricacies of the installation.
It is important to insulate the attic and its access entrance. So, whether the attic entrance is a scuttle hole, has a hatch, or has both, ensure it is insulated to prevent air leaks.
You can also weatherstrip the attic entrance if you’re looking to save money or can’t get the perfect insulation material for it.
Doing this will effectively reduce or eliminate air leakage, ensuring that your indoor space benefits from improved energy-use efficiency.
Ensure Sufficient Attic Insulation
Insulation installation should be done correctly to enjoy improved energy-use efficiency. When done correctly, the indoor space will retain its temperature longer and save you a lot of money during the warm summer or cold winter.
If your home was built in the 1970s, chances are high that your insulation needs attention. Contact an insulation installation provider to inspect your existing insulation and make recommendations.
How To Detect Insufficient Insulation
You can check for insufficient insulation in different ways. However, one of the easiest is by looking at your joists. If you can see the joists, then your attic insulation is insufficient. You can also check your attic for low spots. These are the common areas where you may be losing energy use efficiency.
Additionally, you can do the touch test to know the areas with low or no insulation. Areas with insufficient insulation will have temperatures closer to what’s outside.
Install Energy-Efficient Ventilation
Attic ventilation is an important part of your energy-use efficiency setup. Proper ventilation ensures an even distribution of warm or cold air in the attic space. During the hot summer months, the ventilation allows hot air to escape from your attic, thus preventing moisture accumulation and during the winter, cool air seeps in to keep the snow cool.
Consider installing the appropriate attic ventilation and enjoy the many advantages it offers in regulating your interior temperature.
Inspect The Ductwork In The Attic
Attic ductwork are often neglected. You can improve your attic insulation’s lifespan and efficiency by inspecting the ductwork to check for leaks and other problems. Detecting and fixing damages can help prevent cold spots or uneven temperature distribution across your home. It can also help to reduce your energy bills and save your HVAC system from excess pressure.
You should have your attic ductwork inspected at least once a year. This will help you identify and fix problems that could be costing you more money monthly.
Inspect For Air Leakage
Air leakage is one of the commonest problems suffered by many homeowners. Air leakages compromise indoor comfort and put the HVAC system under pressure. If you find yourself cranking up your HVAC, chances are high that you’re dealing with air leakage problems.
You can inspect for air leakage by checking common trouble areas like the whole-house fan, chimney shaft, dropped ceiling, and knee walls. You can address this problem by contacting a professional or through DIY air leakage sealers.
Install Energy-Efficient Attic Fans
There are different types of attic fans on the market, some more energy efficient than others. Your attic fan can save you money by being energy efficient and by keeping your attic cool during the hot summer months. With the attic fan in place, you can effectively lower your energy bills by relying on the fan to bring the attic temperature down, thus reducing your indoor cooling need.
Energy-efficient attic fans can also take the extra weight off your HVAC system and reduce your energy bills.
Install Radiant Barriers
Radiant barriers are essential for improving energy use efficiency. The thin aluminum sheet material is installed on the underside of the roof, ensuring that the roof’s heat is effectively trapped outside. This installation further limits the temperature exchange between the roofing material and the attic while keeping the home cool.
Choose Insulated Drapes For Windows
Windows are a medium for natural light to penetrate the indoor space. They can also make the home less energy efficient, depending on the screens installed. Homeowners can improve their indoor comfort and reduce heat exchange through insulated drapes. Insulated drapes serve as a barrier between the outdoor and indoor temperatures and can help improve indoor comfort.
