Insulation
Did You Know . . . attic insulation can settle as much as 20% over 5 years, significantly reducing the insulation performance.
Insulating attic spaces is an investment that will pay off quickly. Installing attic insulation saves energy, is inexpensive, and qualifies for tax credits. Insufficiently insulated attics are large sources of lost energy in many homes. Having a poorly insulated attic in an extreme hot or cold climate is the energy equivalent of leaving a window wide open all year round. The cost to properly insulate an attic will pay for itself in just a few years.
Upgrading the insulation in an existing home is one of the most effective "green" investments you can make. Insulation blocks heat transfer to help keep your home comfortable all year round. Your home should have well insulated walls, floors, windows, and ceilings. In older homes, insulation is often inadequate. Adding attic insulation is usually an inexpensive way to reduce a home's heating and cooling costs.
Attic Insulation Economics, Rebates and Tax Credits
Utility rebates and tax credits can make the project even more attractive. Many utility companies offer homeowner rebates for energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners in the United States can take advantage of federal energy efficiency tax credits. As of 2010, the federal tax credit for attic insulation is 30% of the cost of materials, up to $1500.
The Best Attic Insulation
For most existing homes, adding insulation to the attic floor is the most cost effective solution. Loose fill attic insulation blown into place is cheaper and less labor intensive than fiberglass batts, which have to be precisely cut and fit around corners and framing members to be most effective.
A.B. May does attic insulation by blowing cellulose materials to the depth needed to achieve optimum R-value.
Insulation performance is measured by R-value — its ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating power. Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces, depending on your area of the country. Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. So it is very important to seal air leaks before installing insulation to ensure that you get the best performance from the insulation.
