Let’s face it—as homeowners, we usually do not give much thought to our attics on a daily basis. This is especially true it is simply used as a storage space, in which case it pretty much gathers dust as it remains neglected for most, if not the entire duration, of the year. But did you know that the attic is perhaps one of the most important spaces in the home that affects your overall living experience?
Keep in mind that the attic is the part of the house that is connected to the roof, which is the biggest section of your home that is exposed to the elements Thus, a large part of how comfortable your home will be is actually dependent on the condition of your attic. In particular, an attic should be well-insulated in order to create more pleasant living conditions inside the house.
Recommended R-values for attic insulation can be anywhere from R-30 to R-60, depending on the climate zone in which your home is located. If your home is situated either in zones 4 or 5, for example, the US Department of Energy recommends that you use R-38 insulation in your attic.
If you’re still not sure about what benefits you can gain from insulating your attic, we can help you. Below, we’ve listed the top reasons why you should install insulation in this part of your home.
It Can Help You Realize Enormous Electricity Cost Savings
Heating and cooling comprise anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of the energy that an average household consumes. Experts say you can slash up to almost a third of your electricity bill just by simply ensuring that your home has proper insulation, beginning with your attic and other often-neglected areas such as crawl spaces.
You Can Extend the Life of Your Heating and Cooling Appliances
Naturally, when your home’s overall insulation system is not working properly, your heating and cooling appliances work overtime in order to achieve your desired temperature levels and provide you with a comfortable indoor living environment. You can therefore realize long-term cost savings from insulating your attic properly by way of not having to replace worn-out or broken heaters and air conditioning units in your home.
You Can Create More Comfortable Living Spaces
You may be surprised at how insulating your attic properly will do wonders in terms of making your home more comfortable and cozy all-year round. No matter how sophisticated your heating or cooling system may be, a poorly insulated attic will affect the rest of the house and make it more prone to the temperature changes outside. After all, warm air naturally rises, so in winter, the heat inside your home can quickly leave your home through the attic if it is not properly insulated. During the hot summer months, heat from the outdoors can also quickly infiltrate your home through an uninsulated attic by way of conductive and radiant heat transfer.
You Can Enjoy a More Sturdy House Free from Excess Moisture
Insulating your attic properly is an investment in fortifying the structural integrity of the upper part of your house. Together with air sealing, attic insulation helps prevent the ingress of moisture into your home, which means that the inside of your house will not be exposed to humidity—often the cause of structural damage in homes.
You Can Look Forward to Better Indoor Air Quality
By preventing the entry and buildup of moisture in your home, you’ll also be preventing the growth of mold, mildew, and other harmful organisms, which can circulate throughout your home and diminish the indoor air quality. No mold and mildew means you and the other occupants will be less likely to suffer from respiratory problems and allergies.
If you haven’t had the time to check out your attic, now is the best time to do so and to take the first step towards properly insulating this very important part of your house.
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