How Proper Attic Insulation Can Save Energy and Money

If you haven’t ventured up into the attic of your northwest Indiana home recently, take a look to see how much insulation you have installed up there. Attic insulation is a very reasonable home-efficiency upgrade that can last the life of the home, boost comfort, save energy all year long, and reduce wear on heating and cooling systems.

Heat Movement

Heat energy moves through the home primarily in three ways.

1. Warmer air is lighter than cooler air, so it rises to the ceiling by convection.
2. Heat energy naturally seeks a cooler location by conduction until a temperature equilibrium is reached.
3. Air pressure differentials can force air, whether it’s cold or warm, to move from one place to another, and between inside and outside.

This usually means that the warm air in the living spaces will rise and seek to transfer heat energy to the colder attic air (heating months) unless there’s a barrier stopping it, such as a well-sealed attic floor and sufficient attic insulation. During the cooling months, the heat in the attic, which may reach as high as 145 degrees, will tend to transfer to the cooler living spaces below.

Savings, Comfort and More

Fiberglass insulation is fluffy for good reasons. The air “trapped” within the web of glass fibers resists heat transfer. The thicker the insulation, the more resistance to heat transfer, which is indicated by the R-value of all insulation. These are the benefits of installing up to R-60 (as recommended by Energy Star) in your attic:

• Energy savings – Roll out the insulation and keep more money in your pocketbook.
• Comfort – Faster heat gain/loss in the living spaces means more temperature variance from the thermostat setting. This reduces comfort, and creates a repetitive on/off cycling of the heating and cooling system for extra wear.
• System wear – Attic insulation reduces heat gain/loss, which reduces running time and wear of the A/C and furnace systems.
• Roofing – Ice dams during the heating months and excessive attic moisture during the cooling months – both created by excessive heat gain/loss and inadequate ventilation – can damage the roof and attic timber.

Please contact Meyer’s for more information about attic insulation and all your HVAC needs in your Northwest Indiana or south Chicagoland home.