Keep It or Pitch It: Should I Remove Outdated Attic Insulation?
Having the proper insulation depth in your attic doesn’t only keep your house cozy. It can help you save lots of money on your energy costs.
If you are concerned your residence doesn’t have ample attic insulation, now is a good time to put in more. Having enough insulation helps balance your home’s temps and prevent wintertime issues including ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin putting more insulation in your attic, you could be thinking if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Homes, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your current insulation is damp or damaged, you can typically keep it. We advise calling a specialist who specializes in attic insulation in the U.S., like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in accurately and matches building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll reap max benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop in advance of adding more insulation. Vermiculite insulation was commonly installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should presume it contains asbestos, which can cause cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a pro who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Put In
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at the very least 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value measures how well insulation can stop heat. If you live in a northern climate, as deep as 18” or an R-value of 49 is advised.
R-value is also affected by the type of insulation you have, its depth and how it’s put in. When you work with a pro like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we’ll take all the guesswork out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be installed.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing figures out the best insulation for your attic by including where you own your home, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation is available in sheets trimmed to fit your attic and is made from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most popular, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is pricier, but provides excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Usually constructed from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is an earth-friendly choice that delivers excellent performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to install blown-in attic insulation, which could include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good choice if you have lots of tight spaces to fill, including around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is competitively priced and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can retain moisture and settle over time.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It offers the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is fantastic for plugging cracks and other tricky-to-get at locations. It’s very strong, doesn’t settle and offers a natural sound barrier.
When you need to install additional in your attic, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to offer experienced advice and excellent service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Call us at 866-397-3787 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment now.
