As an expert in home insulation, I am often asked whether redoing attic insulation is worth the investment. The answer is not a simple yes or no, as it depends on various factors such as the current state of the attic and the overall energy efficiency of the house. However, one thing is for sure: proper attic insulation is crucial for both comfort and savings in any home. Before we dive into the details, let's first understand how heat loss occurs in a house.
In most cases, the majority of heat loss happens through windows and air leaks. This means that even if you have good quality windows, they can still be energy leaks. In such cases, doubling the attic's insulation may not significantly improve the comfort of a room. However, if you double the thickness of insulation in a specific area of the roof and use the same type of insulation that already exists, you can reduce heat loss in that area by half.
If your house has a second floor, this is a red flag that there may be a significant air leak between the second floor and the attic. This is especially common in older houses and can be challenging to seal and insulate effectively. Therefore, it is essential to address this issue before investing in attic insulation. Now, let's talk about cost-effectiveness.
The level of attic insulation needed for optimal comfort and savings is independent of how well insulated the rest of the house is. This means that even if your walls and floors are well insulated, a poorly insulated attic can still lead to discomfort and high energy bills. One way to improve attic ventilation and reduce heat buildup is by installing an attic fan. However, it is crucial to have it connected to a thermostat so that it only operates when the attic temperature is too high.
This is a common option and can help improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.
