Does My Attic Need Insulation?

Your energy bills are high. Your house is too hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Could the problem be a lack of attic insulation?

One of the most common problems we diagnose at South Central Services is a need for attic insulation. Nine of every ten homeowners we speak with need more insulation in the attic. The odds are that attic insulation will make your home more energy efficient and comfortable.

By the end of this article, you will know:

• Why attics need to be insulated
• How to tell if your attic needs more insulation
• What insulations can be installed in attics
• Which benefits the insulation products offer

Does My Attic Need To Be Insulated?

Most homeowners do not realize that attic insulation plays a vital role in maintaining your home's temperature. Some attics do not have any insulation at all. Depending on when a home was built, sufficient attic insulation may not have been installed.

Without appropriate amounts of insulation, temperatures in homes fluctuate. HVAC systems struggle to maintain the conditioned air and temperature of the house.

Do I Have Enough Attic Insulation?

Most attics need more insulation. While there is some insulation in the attic, it cannot perform. The four main indicators of insufficient attic insulation are the following:

1. Inconsistent temperatures
2. High energy bills in summer and winter
3. Previously insulated over five years ago
4. How snow or frost melts on your roof

Let's examine each of these in more detail.

1. If Your Temperatures Are Inconsistent, You May Need Attic Insulation.

One of the indicators of poor attic insulation is inconsistent temperatures throughout the house. If there are several degrees of temperature difference between rooms, your attic may need insulation.

For two-story homes, you may find that one floor is a different temperature than the other.

2. If Your Energy Bills Are High, You May Need Attic Insulation.

If you pay significantly more for heating and cooling during the more extreme seasons, you likely need more attic insulation. Energy bills may not seem as high during more moderate seasons like spring and fall. However, as soon as summer or winter arrives, there are more significant differences between inside and outside temperatures.

Attic insulation plays a crucial role in trapping heat. In the summer, attic insulation prevents outside heat and heat built up in your attic from radiating into your living space. In southern Pennsylvania homes, attics can get as hot as 150 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime. In the winter, attic insulation keeps your expensive heated air from leaking into the attic and outside of the home.

Learn how heat travels in your home.

3. If Your Attic Was Last Insulated Over 5 Years Ago, You May Need Insulation.

Most attics are insulated with products that have an expiration date, or have been reinsulated inadequately. These products lose their effectiveness after installation due to settling or may be disturbed by activity in the attic. You likely need attic insulation if you can't remember when your attic was last insulated and are experiencing these other symptoms.

Even new build constructions may need attic insulation. New homes have more insulation than older ones. However, even though proper insulation has become a greater priority over time, not every new construction home has enough attic insulation installed. If you live in a new home with these symptoms, your attic may need more insulation.

4. If Snow Melts On Your Roof In Unique Patterns, You May Need Insulation.

The way that the snow on your roof melts can be a great visual indicator of poor attic insulation. If you see snow or frost melting off your roof before other roofs in your neighborhood, this could be a sign of inadequate attic insulation. The frost may also melt in a unique pattern, which could also indicate a need for attic insulation.

If you live near Franklin or Fulton County, you may have noticed these melting patterns on your roof. If you’re also dealing with inconsistent temperatures or high energy bills, you should consider insulating your attic.

How Do I Measure My Attic Insulation?

Based on these symptoms, you think your attic may need insulation. But how can you measure the state of your current insulation?

In most attics, insulation is inside the attic floor. Make sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety glasses and gloves before measuring your insulation. The most common attic insulations are fiberglass and cellulose insulation, which can cause skin and eye irritations. You may also want a mask to protect yourself from any airborne particles that may arise when the insulation is disturbed.

Depending on your climate zone, your attic will need different amounts of insulation. South Central Services operates in Climate Zone 5, which includes areas of southern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you live in Climate Zone 5, the following measurements should be accurate for your attic insulation. If you need to check your climate zone, see this map from ENERGY STAR for more information.

For blown-in insulations like fiberglass and cellulose, the insulation should be 12 to 24 inches thick. You will want to gently dig through the insulation with a ruler, so you can determine how deep the insulation goes. When the ruler touches the back of the drywall of the ceiling below, you will have an accurate measurement.

For batting insulations like fiberglass, the needed performance is measured by R-value. Check the facing of the insulation for writing. Your fiberglass batts must have an R-value of R-38 or higher to be sufficient.

Fiberglass batts, regardless of R-value, must be replaced if there are gaps or cracks. These gaps and cracks make the batts ineffective because there is some area that is not being insulated. That area allows air and heat to leak.

Does It Matter What Insulation Product I Use In My Attic?

Any insulation is better than none, but optimal performance depends on your product. Attics have the greatest number of insulation options of any residential application, including:

• Fiberglass batts
• Blown-in fiberglass
• Blown-in cellulose
• Spray foam insulation

Fiberglass and blown-in insulations are budget products that provide a budget performance. Spray foam insulation is a more expensive product that offers a premium performance.

Other factors to consider include air-sealing ability, ease of installation, and longevity.

The Bottom Line About Checking Your Attic Insulation

More likely than not, your attic needs insulation. If you are dealing with high energy bills and inconsistent temperatures, attic insulation could make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

You have many options for attic insulation based on your budget and necessary performance. If you are trying to save money and do not mind the upkeep, a cheaper insulation solution may provide some additional comfort and energy efficiency. If you do not mind the initial investment for a premium product, spray foam insulation will maximize your energy savings permanently.

Now that you know if your attic needs insulation, your next step is to:

• Compare insulation options for your attic
• Learn whether you should insulate your attic floor or ceiling
• Discover how much different attic insulations cost