Your home’s attic is likely a place you rarely think about let alone go into. Attics are scary, dark places that most homeowners use to store old junk. What many people don’t realize it that there are a number of incredible benefits to tidying out your attic and properly insulating it if you haven’t done so already.
#1. How Does An Extra $7,000 Sound?
That’s the value of the unused stuff found in the average household according to research firm NPD Group. Unlike the junk you might store in your garage, the warmth and safety of an attic means it is the most likely location for unused things of any value. By clearing out your attic prior to applying insulation you can likely make bank from selling unused things you no longer have any use for. If you have an uninsulated attic, clearing out all your junk and selling unwanted items online could easily see you score big. The thought of ditching some of your unused stuff is a great reason to start your attic insulation project.
#2. Slash Your Heating Costs By 40 Percent
If you aren’t sure whether you attic is insulated, simply poke your head up there. If you can see the wooden joists above your ceiling, your attic is either uninsulated or could use some more insulation. The most common type of attic insulation is fiberglass roll insulation available from any hardware store. If your home doesn’t have this type of insulation, it’s an easy DIY fix for most homeowners. The average home uses half of all energy for heating and cooling and uninsulated attics will waste 40 percent of this. Fitting fiberglass roll insulation can help your central furnace use less energy to maintain a constant temperature in your home.
#3. Give Yourself A Healthier Living Environment
According to one of the leading insulation companies in Toronto, the best way to create a healthier living environment is to address areas where moisture can enter. The three biggest areas are your windows, basement and roof so insulating your attic makes sense. Attic insulation provides a good barrier against moisture and can prevent mold formation. Studies by the American Medical Association have shown the correlation between a moldy living environment and illnesses such as breathing conditions.
#4. Spend Less On AC Maintenance
The R-value is a figure used to show how well a material resists heat flow. The higher the R-value is, the better the insulation. Fiberglass batts have an R-value of around 3 per inch while blown-in cellulose insulation has an R-value of around 3.5 per inch. The thickness of the insulation determines the R-value. The U.S. Department of Energy gives recommended R-values for attic insulation in different areas of the country, typically R38 and up. To achieve R38 you would need 10 inches of cellulose insulation. The good news is that insulation works both ways. In summer when the roof heats up under the hot sun, the insulation prevents this heat from being transferred as readily through the ceiling. This means your AC unit will use less energy to cool your home. Not only does this save you money on your utility bills, it reduces the load on the AC unit and lowers your maintenance bills.
