Nearly 85 percent of a home’s heat loss happens through the attic. When your attic is not insulated, you lose heat, which escapes your home and raises your utility bills as your HVAC system works harder. However, even the best-insulated attics need maintenance to stay efficient. Here are five tips on how to make your Northern California attic more energy efficient:
- Seal cracks: Attic air leaks are a common culprit when energy efficiency drops. Cracks, holes and weak points throughout the attic allow outdoor air inside, where it works against your HVAC. Start by sealing these cracks and gaps and filling any spaces where insulation has worn out. If you notice extensive deterioration of your insulation, contact an insulation contractor.
- Improve ventilation: Installing a venting system in your attic allows warm air to escape. While this approach seems counterintuitive in winter, it reduces damage to your home. If there is a bad winter, keeping your attic cool prevents melted snow or ice on your roof, which lead to ice dams and gutter damage. In summer, proper ventilation allows heat to escape, so it does not damage roof shingles. Moisture is another common problem of built-up attic air, which leads to mold growth. However, venting is not an energy-efficient solution for all homes, so consult with a roofing contractor to make sure it’s the right decision.
- Install fans: Attic fans are an excellent investment. They regulate your home’s temperature and improve airflow. If you have a well-insulated attic, they enhance efficiency by pushing out hot air while bringing in cool air from soffit and gable vents. Keep in mind that these are specialty fans designed for attics, and regular ceiling fans do not work the same way. You need to hire a knowledgeable contractor who installs the correct fans and ensures proper sealing. Otherwise, the fans will not help you with efficiency.
- Purchase radiant barriers: Radiant barriers prevent the electromagnetic transfer of heat by reflecting sunlight. They are comprised of aluminum or other highly reflective materials. By reflecting the light, attics maintain constant temperatures, no matter the preferred temperature indoors or the weather conditions happening outside. In warm climates, radiant barriers drape from the attic ceiling or are squeezed between roof beams. In cold climates, radiant barriers are placed inside the attic on the floor to reflect heat from inside the house. Once installed, cooling and heating costs drop by up to 10 percent per year.
- Upgrade insulation: If you have a leaky attic and high heating and cooling bills, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Insulation improves with new technologies and manufacturing processes, and if you have older insulation, it may not be as effective. Good insulation reduces heating and cooling costs up to 20 percent, so that upgrade may pay for itself quickly!
Want to learn more about how to make your attic more energy efficient? Ace Insulation Inc. can help. We are your Northern California insulation experts, and we can seal up your attic and make your heating and cooling costs decrease. Call us today to schedule an estimate.
An insulated attic offers a tight seal to keep heat in your home during the winter. If insulation deteriorates, you face drafts and high energy bills and leave your home vulnerable to rodents, allergens and mold. Here are six signs showing when it’s time to replace your home insulation in Northern California:
- Rodent infestation: If your home was rodent-free for years, and now you experience mice or rats, the problem may be your insulation. Rodents love to nest in damaged insulation, and as they get cozy, they add to the wear and tear. If you find droppings and pieces of insulation lying around your attic, start by calling an exterminator and then look into replacing your insulation. Since rodents carry parasites and disease, you have no other choice but to remove contaminated insulation entirely.
- Water damage: A leaking roof or an overflowing drip pan in your air conditioner causes water damage. If you experience either of these developments, chances are you need insulation. Insulation makes an excellent environment for mold and mildew when it gets wet, and it loses its ability to control heat transfer. If a storm punctured your roof or a wayward appliance or plumbing pipe flooded your insulation, you must replace it immediately.
- Temperature control problems: When insulation wears out, your home’s temperature is uneven. Some rooms are freezing cold, while others are too warm. You pick up on more drafts, and it seems that no matter how much you mess around with the thermostat, you cannot find the optimal comfortable temperature. Once you eliminate HVAC issues, chances are your attic insulation no longer does its job. You may need to replace insulation in crawl spaces, too, especially in certain rooms that are draftier than others.
- High utility costs: Attic insulation is an excellent way to increase energy efficiency. It keeps cool air inside in summer and hot air inside during winter. This ability lowers utility bills because your HVAC does not have to work as hard. But if your bills spike and there are no logical reasons why that’s happening, your insulation might be breaking down. Check the attic for loose insulation fibers and consider having a contractor take a closer look.
- More allergy symptoms: Old insulation is an excellent breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria and allergens. If you notice household members getting sniffly or suffering frequent colds and allergies, you may have damaged insulation. Check all air quality elements in your home, including HVAC filters and insulation. Since mold especially causes serious illness, you want to act on this problem right away if you have any household members with respiratory sensitivities.
- Leaks: If you notice a slowly growing stain on your ceilings or find more condensation around your window frames, chances are you have a roof leak. If any water gets through your roof, it soaks your attic insulation, too. Act on leaks immediately, and once resolved, inspect your insulation. It likely needs replacement.
Ace Insulation Inc. installs insulation in Northern California homes and businesses. Contact us today if you need help determining when to replace your home insulation or wish to schedule an estimate.
Too many homeowners in Northern California believe they can get away with cutting out the middle man and installing insulation by themselves. They’ll end up suffering the consequences later on, because the truth is that improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick. Below are some of the amateur mistakes people make during a poor installation and the health risks that come as a result.
Wrong material for the attic
Not every type of insulating material is suitable for all areas of the home. For instance, fiberglass insulation has to be in a completely dry environment. If your attic suffers from excessive condensation, the fiberglass will dampen and become less effective. You’ll know it’s time to schedule a reinstallation when your energy bills start to hike up.
Wet fiberglass is also the perfect environment to promote mold growth. Mold triggers allergies, exacerbates asthma and creates breathing problems over a long period of time. It’s the most common airborne toxin responsible for poor air quality in your living space. Ask a professional to install spray foam or another water-resistant insulation material in your attic.
Older insulation releases chemicals
Improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick, but so can insulation that has long outstayed its welcome in your Northern California home. The building materials in a house break down over time, and insulation is no different. Outdated insulation releases harmful chemicals in a process that’s called off-gassing. The good news is that off-gassing is accompanied by a foul smell, so you’ll know something’s wrong right away.
Be wary of contractors who want to cover your attic with foam board. Despite its flame-resistant properties, this type of insulation can do more harm than good once it starts to break down. The chemical that makes it fireproof can seep into your living space and cause cancer after years of exposure.
Lack of protective equipment
Improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick if you’re the one installing it. As an example, spray foam requires personal protective equipment like goggles, gloves and a gas mask to prevent severe irritation. Spray foam is safe in its solid state, but may damage your lungs and skin during the installation process. It’s best to exercise caution and hire a professional in Northern California to install spray foam insulation for you.
Skin irritants and dust
Some insulation materials naturally emit airborne toxins and should be avoided in the home altogether. As the name suggests, fiberglass insulation is constructed with microscopic pieces of glass that irritate the respiratory system and become lodged in a person’s skin. Cellulose insulation releases dust that settles down into your living space and will trigger your family members’ allergy symptoms. These materials are not only uncomfortable, but also pose a serious health risk.
Installing insulation is not a DIY project. When you hire a trained professional from Ace Insulation Inc., you protect your family and guarantee a safe living space for years to come. We offer a variety of insulation materials to choose from and will make the appropriate suggestion with your family’s health and comfort as the top priorities. Reach out to learn more!
The average person doesn’t spend a ton of time up in their attic, so it’s easy to forget everything that’s up there. However, the attic holds some of the most important insulation for your home. Attic insulation is crucial for both keeping your home comfortable throughout the year and ensuring that it’s energy efficient.
Unfortunately, attic insulation doesn’t last forever. After about 15 years, homeowners should consider replacing attic insulation in Northern California. Some folks may need to replace their insulation sooner than that, though.
Here are few signs that it’s time to replace your attic insulation:
- Higher energy bills: If your heating and cooling costs seem to be rising each month, it might be due to failing insulation up in the attic. As insulation ages, it becomes less effective at retaining interior heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Talk to a professional about upgrading your insulation to help save some money on your bills.
- Uncomfortable drafts: Feeling a draft in the house when the windows are closed is a sign that something’s amiss. The draft could be a sign that your attic insulation isn’t blocking outdoor air from entering your home. It could also mean that the wall insulation isn’t doing its job. Either way, you should consult a pro about your insulation situation.
- Moldy insulation: Take a moment to inspect the insulation in your attic. If there’s any mold or mildew growth, you’ll need to remove it and talk to a professional about updating insulation in the attic. Not only is moldy insulation ineffective, but it’s also a health concern.
The best types of insulation
All attic insulation isn’t created equal. Here are a few of the best types to choose the next time you’re updating insulation in your attic in Northern California:
- Blown-in insulation: Blown-in insulation is often made of fiberglass and is used to fill the nooks and crannies in attics. Installing it can be a DIY job, but we always recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
- Fiberglass batts: While blown-in insulation is great for the flooring, fiberglass batts are commonly used for the walls. Batts are easy to install yourself and relatively inexpensive to purchase. You may want to talk to a pro to ensure you’re placing the batts in the right locations.
- Spray foam: By far, the best insulation for attics is spray foam. Once it’s sprayed, the foam expands to fill every gap in the wall. Since it covers every inch, it can be up to three times more effective than traditional blown-in fiberglass or fiberglass batts. Although it costs more, homeowners might see up to a 40-percent reduction in their energy costs by switching to spray foam.
We’re your go-to team for attic insulation
Whether you’re a new homeowner adding insulation for the first time or you’re interested in replacing attic insulation in Northern California, talk to the professionals at Ace Insulation, Inc. From blown-in insulation to spray foam, we have just the products you need to keep your attic well-insulated through the summer and winter months.
Your home’s insulation is essential when it comes to promoting energy efficiency in your house and keeping you and your family comfortable. Unfortunately, there are lots of common weak spots in home insulation that many homeowners aren’t even aware of. You might not know it, but your attic is one of the places in your home that is most likely to let drafts in during the winter and increase temperatures in your home during the summer. This spring, it may be smart to think about the benefits of attic insulation installation in Northern California for your home.
Reasons to invest in attic insulation
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to invest in insulation for your attic, it’s a good idea to consider some of the benefits of new insulation. Here are a few of the reasons why it’s a good idea to get attic insulation installation in Northern California this spring:
- More effective cooling in the summer: One of the best benefits of investing in attic insulation installation in Northern California is that it will help keep your home cooler and more comfortable during the summertime. It’s common for hot air to accumulate in attics, causing the rest of your home to heat up and putting more stress on your home’s cooling system. Attic insulation installation in Northern California is a great way to keep your HVAC system working effectively and boost your home’s energy efficiency.
- Flexible scheduling: Insulation projects are much more popular in the summer and winter, when energy efficiency issues, drafts and thermal heat transfer are more common. As a result, it’s usually easier to schedule attic insulation installation in Northern California in the spring, when there is less demand on insulation contractors. Waiting until spring for this project can make it easier to schedule and offers better flexibility in project planning.
- Remodeling benefits: Lots of homeowners choose to invest in home improvement and remodeling projects in the springtime, and it’s easy to add insulation installation to your list of renovations if your home is already under construction. Spring is a great time to take on some improvement projects, like insulation upgrades, to improve your home’s efficiency, value and curb appeal. Doubling up on projects is more economical and allows you to avoid the hassle of taking on additional projects later in the year.
- Improved home value: Investing in attic insulation isn’t just good for your home’s comfort and efficiency—it’s also a great way to boost your home’s value. Attic insulation is a project that offers a great return on investment for homeowners thanks to cost savings on energy for heating and cooling and the improvement in home value.
Attic insulation installation in Northern California
For professional attic insulation installation in Northern California, reach out to Ace Insulation Inc. Our team of experienced insulation technicians has the training and expertise necessary to ensure the best outcomes possible from your investment in your home. No matter what your insulation needs might entail, our team is here to assist you. Give us a call today to get started with a quote.
