Keep It or Pitch It: Should I Get Rid of Old Attic Insulation?
Having the proper insulation depth in your attic doesn’t merely keep your home cozy. It can help you save a lot of money on your utility expenses.
If you think your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have enough attic insulation, now is a fantastic time to put in more. Having ample insulation helps regulate your residence’s temps and stop wintertime troubles like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin installing more installation in your attic, you may be thinking if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Cases, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your existing insulation is soggy or damaged, you can usually keep it. We advise calling a specialist who specializes in attic insulation in Fort Myers, like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is added like it should be and meets building code standards. Accurate installation also means you’ll have top benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was frequently installed in homes built before 1990. The EPA says you should suspect it includes asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and contact a company 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 provides an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value determines how well insulation can divert heat. If you reside in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is recommended.
R-value is also influenced by the kind of insulation you use, its depth and how it’s put in. When you work with a company like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, 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 chooses the ideal insulation for your attic by including where you reside, your budget and how much insulation you need to install. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation is installed in sheets cut to fit your attic and is built from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most popular, as a result of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is pricier, but provides greater protection against fire, water and sound. Often made from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a sustainable solution that gives great performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A special machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which may include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a wise material if you have a lot of small spaces to fill, such as around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is budget-friendly and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can take in moisture and settle as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It gives the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is fantastic for filling cracks and other difficult-to-reach spots. It’s highly heavy duty, doesn’t go down and gives a natural sound block.
When you want to install extra in your attic, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to give skilled advice and excellent service that comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Call us at 239-908-6991 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment today.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
