--- title: Will Adding Attic Insulation Make A Difference? description: Can adding insulation to your attic make a difference in your comfort and energy bills? Discover if new attic insulation is worth investing in. image: https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Will%20Adding%20Attic%20Insulation%20Make%20A%20Difference.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-attic-insulation-make-a-difference#maincontent) [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) [![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20Classic.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20Classic.png) ![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20White.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20White.png)](https://scsfoam.com/) [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) Pricing - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebates](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) Services - Residential Insulation - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Construction Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) Learning Center - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) Open Search [Get A Quote](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. 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March 26th, 2025 4 min read By [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) ![](https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Will%20Adding%20Attic%20Insulation%20Make%20A%20Difference.jpg) Your home has high energy bills. Whenever winter or summer rolls around, you are shocked by how much you have to pay to heat or cool your home. On top of the price of comfort, your home isn't particularly comfortable. You wear layers inside during winter and feel like you're melting in the summer. Is attic insulation the solution to your home discomfort and high energy costs? South Central Services has insulated hundreds of new and existing homes in and around Gettysburg, PA, and Martinsburg, WV. Our team works hard to make homes and buildings more energy-efficient. The reality is that attic insulation can have a humongous impact on your comfort and energy bills. By the end of this article, you will understand: - Why attic insulation plays such a significant role in energy efficiency - How to properly insulate your attic to get energy efficiency benefits - Which insulations will make the biggest difference in your home ## Attic Insulation Can Make A Significant Difference In Your Home. We often forget about our attics. Some are storage spaces for Christmas decorations and other odds and ends. Sometimes, we avoid our attics because we have a sinking suspicion that rodents may be making a home upstairs. Unless your attic is a living space or is frequently accessed, you probably don't consider the role it plays in your home. Your attic is part of your [thermal envelope](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-glossary#building-envelope-definition), which separates inside and outside of the house. As the name implies, the thermal envelope needs high-performing insulation to regulate the temperature. Attics are an above-grade portion of the thermal envelope, meaning the sun's heat can magnify the temperatures upstairs. > In our experience, homeowners see a drop in their home heating and cooling costs by 30% to 70% after upgrading their attic insulation. The worse the insulation situation upstairs is currently, the greater the improvement you will see. Adding an airtight seal in your attic will help to keep conditioned air where it belongs inside. Heat won't press into your living space in the summer and won't escape through the roof in the winter. According to the [Environmental Protection Agency](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate), "homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs…by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists." ## You Should Not Add New Insulation Onto Existing Insulation. Unfortunately, making your home more comfortable and cutting your energy costs isn't as simple as adding more insulation. Many homeowners think they can put brand-new insulation on top of whatever was upstairs already. ![An attic with blown-in cellulose insulation installed on the attic floor.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Is%20Blown-In%20Insulation%20Safe%20To%20Breathe.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Is%20Blown-In%20Insulation%20Safe%20To%20Breathe.jpg) The only situation in which we ever recommend adding new insulation on top of existing is in the case of blown-in. If your blown-in attic insulation is clean and dry, and the attic already has an air-seal, you could top off that insulation with more blown-in. In any other situation, we cannot recommend adding new insulation onto existing insulation. ## Existing Insulation Should Be Removed Before Adding New. "Adding insulation" comes down to removing what is already there and then adding new. You will need a clean slate to install new insulation. It is also important to [remove existing insulation](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-remove-existing-insulation-when-insulating-your-attic) if there are any mold, mildew, or rodent issues upstairs. ![An attic in Chambersburg, PA with all existing insulation removed.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Does%20My%20Attic%20Need%20Insulation.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Does%20My%20Attic%20Need%20Insulation.jpg) ## Insulation Quality Will Affect The Change In Your Energy Bills. Adding a budget-friendly insulation product upstairs will help your energy costs go down. A more premium insulation will have a more drastic impact on your energy bills. However, premium insulation has a higher price tag. Depending on the size of your attic, it may be worthwhile to splurge on a more expensive insulation product. The cost difference may be a few thousand dollars. However, over the lifetime of the insulation, the premium product will make back the increase and more. Let's examine a few levels of quality for your attic insulation upgrade. ### Fiberglass Batt Is An Okay Option For Attics. ![Fiberglass batt insulation installed in an attic. There are gaps in the insulation where light shines through.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Batt%20In%20An%20Attic.jpg?width=338&height=450&name=Batt%20In%20An%20Attic.jpg)[Fiberglass batt](https://scsfoam.com/blog/fiberglass-batts-pros-cons) is a popular insulation choice due to its low cost. Batt insulation comes in a variety of sizes and [R-values](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-insulation-r-value-means). In an attic application, fiberglass batt can be installed in the floor. Generally, we do not recommend fiberglass batt for attics. Fiberglass offers respectable R-values but cannot stop heat transfer via the air. If you want batt insulation for your attic floor, we recommend pairing it with an airtight seal. [Any cracks, crevices, or intrusions in your attic floor can be sealed up.](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-attic-air-sealing) Air-sealing helps to maximize the performance of the batt. If you're currently dealing with those high energy bills and home discomfort, fiberglass paired with an air-seal will make some difference for you. ### Blown-In Is A Better Option For Your Attic. If you're on a budget, our recommendation for your attic would be a blown-in product. [Blown-in fiberglass](https://scsfoam.com/blog/blown-in-fiberglass-pros-cons) and [cellulose](https://scsfoam.com/blog/blown-in-cellulose-pros-cons) are still affordable options. However, their composition allows them to better insulate nooks and crannies upstairs. Where batt insulation must be trimmed exactly to size, blown-in can be blown into any cavity. ![An attic with blown-in cellulose insulation on the attic floor.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Does%20Blown-In%20Insulation%20Reduce%20Noise.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Does%20Blown-In%20Insulation%20Reduce%20Noise.jpg) Just like with batt insulation, we recommend pairing it with an airtight seal. Heat can easily transfer through the air that leaks in between blown-in particles. Installing an air-seal in the floor will maximize the blown-in performance. Blown-in is also a more ideal budget option due to its lifecycle. When batt insulation wears out over a 20- to 30-year period, it must be replaced. But blown-in insulation can be [topped off after it has settled](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-blown-in-insulation-settle). While topping off the insulation will incur some cost, it is less of a hassle and expense than replacing everything again. ### Spray Foam Insulation In The Attic Will Offer The Best Results. If you have more budget to work with, we recommend [open cell](https://scsfoam.com/blog/open-cell-pros-cons) or [closed cell spray foam](https://scsfoam.com/blog/closed-cell-pros-cons). Spray foam insulation is more expensive, but it also offers many benefits that budget-friendly insulations do not. For one, spray foam insulation has a built-in airtight seal. Instead of using a separate product, spray foam insulation insulates and air-seals simultaneously. Spray foam has a high R-value, but it also prevents heat from escaping through the air. While blown-in insulation can conform to strange shapes and nooks in the floor, spray foam insulation can adhere to any shape or size. Spray foam can also be sprayed overhead to encapsulate your attic. ![An attic encapsulated with open cell spray foam.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Will%20Adding%20Attic%20Insulation%20Make%20A%20Difference.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Will%20Adding%20Attic%20Insulation%20Make%20A%20Difference.jpg) Attic encapsulation is especially effective for attics with HVAC ductwork running upstairs. By insulating the underside of the roof and the gables, your attic becomes part of the conditioned space. This encapsulation prevents your ductwork from taking on additional heat load upstairs. Without encapsulation, attic temperatures can easily reach 170 degrees Fahrenheit in our climate zone in the summer. Spray foam insulation is also a [permanent solution](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-long-does-spray-foam-insulation-last). Spray foam is sprayed, adheres in place, and won't budge. It takes significantly more effort to disturb spray foam than blown-in or batt. This investment may cost a few thousand more upfront, but it will also be the last time you'll need to pay for attic insulation. After insulating your attic with spray foam, you will notice a significant difference in your home's comfort and energy costs. Our customers certainly have, and some have shared their [energy-saving stories through their Google reviews](https://www.google.com/search?q=south+central+services#mpd=~1584520559141807437/customers/reviews). ## The Bottom Line About The Benefits Of New Attic Insulation When attic insulation is installed the right way, it can have a huge impact on a home. Homes can be very uncomfortable during extreme months, and it can be quite expensive to pay for heating and cooling alone. Removing existing insulation and installing new should make your home more energy efficient. Now that you understand the effect of attic insulation on your home, your next step is to: - [Estimate the cost of insulating your attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-much-does-attic-insulation-cost) - [Decide between a vented or unvented attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/insulate-attic-floor-or-ceiling) - [Choose an insulation product for your attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-attic-insulations) [![SCHEDULE MY FREE SITE VISIT](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39735758/interactive-183808884397.png)](https://scsfoam.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKFK4W8MAlOXy%2FKChzyLXQy%2BYhW2CpzCiv4gXiUm8O0RSORyTC%2FtRX8JUOqMcd9ZmIZ7bXiDr4CB3b7Id8Xt%2BLQKaKArflKLZfG17lfOtSwPdGuAvTRTmJnAp7TSe%2BTasI%2Fy5QStIaK8ejnNx9Izu788J%2BtDQHLl1HUz70rVE%2B%2BtIJNCaD83HnpZnvMsw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=183808884397&portalId=39735758) *Disclaimer: While we strive to publish information accurate to building science, local building codes and standards supersede our recommendations.* [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) Kilian has co-owned and operated South Central Services for 8 years. He is passionate about community involvement. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, playing ice hockey, and going fishing with friends. Topics: [Building Science](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/building-science) [Attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/attic) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles ### [Top 3 Places To Insulate In An Existing Home June 9th, 2025|5 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/top-places-to-insulate-in-an-existing-home) ### [What Is A Blower Door Test Used For? May 16th, 2025|2 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-are-blower-door-tests-used-for) ### [How Does Insulation Keep A House Cool? April 23rd, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-does-insulation-keep-a-house-cool) ### [What Is The R-Value Of Blown-In Insulation? April 4th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-blown-in-insulation-r-value) ### [Can Insulation Be Reused? 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August 12th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-houses-be-over-insulated) ### [Best Vapor Barrier Products For Roofs August 9th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-roof-vapor-barrier-products) Location 1574 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, PA 17225 Phone: [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) Connect With Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Central-Services-Insulation-100057064885687/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scsfoam/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@scsfoam) - [info@scsfoam.com](mailto:info@scsfoam.com) Services - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Home Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) Pricing Information - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing Options](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebate Information](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) - [Pricing Articles](https://scsfoam.com/blog/tag/product-pricing) Proud Member of Cumberland Valley Business Alliance     Company - [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) - [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) - [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) - [Contact Us](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) - [Join Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team#hiring) - [Privacy Policy](https://scsfoam.com/privacy-policy) Learn More - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) © 2026 South Central Services All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kilian Agha", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-28T16:29:25.974Z", "datePublished" : "2025-03-26T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Will Adding Attic Insulation Make A Difference?", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-attic-insulation-make-a-difference", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/branding/SCS-Updated-Logo_Horizontal-2048x397.png" }, "name" : "South Central Services" } } ```