Is Your Attic Leaking Money? The Truth About Insulation

Heat naturally moves from warm areas to cool areas. In the winter, the expensive heat from your furnace tries to escape into your cold attic. In the summer, the scorching heat of your roof radiates down into your cool living room.

The only thing stopping this constant, costly transfer of energy is your insulation. And if your home was built before 2010, chances are you don't have enough of it.

The "R-Value" Gap

Insulation effectiveness is measured in R-value. The higher the number, the better the resistance to heat flow. Today, the Department of Energy recommends an R-value of R-49 to R-60 for attics in our climate.

Most older homes only have R-19 or R-30 (about 6-10 inches of old fiberglass). That means you are essentially wearing a t-shirt in a snowstorm. Your furnace has to run constantly just to keep up with the heat loss.

Signs You Need an Upgrade

• Ice Dams: Do massive icicles form on your gutters? This happens when escaping attic heat melts snow on the roof, which then re-freezes at the edge. It's a sure sign of insulation failure.
• Drafty Rooms: If certain rooms feel significantly colder than others, heat is escaping unevenly above them.
• High Energy Bills: If your heating costs are rising faster than utility rates, efficiency is the culprit.
• Visible Joists: Go into your attic. If you can see the wooden floor joists peeking above the insulation, you definitely need more. The insulation should bury the joists completely.

The ROI of Re-Insulating

Adding blown-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation is one of the highest ROI home improvements you can make. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report, homeowners recoup nearly 100% of the cost in home value.

More importantly, you save money immediately every month. Savings of 15% to 20% on heating and cooling bills are common, meaning the project often pays for itself in 3-5 years.