On average heating and cooling comprise 54 of a home s annual utility bills.
Different types of insulation for attics.
An insulation upgrade is a great way to reduce your heating and cooling costs.
In general an attic s r value should be between r 30 and r 49.
Insulation level are specified by r value.
This is the most common type of insulation.
Installing this type of insulation is an inexpensive and diy friendly project since the materials are designed to fit into the standard width between wall studs attic rafters and floor joists.
Here the insulation can be blown right over top of existing insulation to any depth or r value.
It comes in convenient rolls that are easy to transport and carry.
For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.
Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
Read on to learn about the different insulation types costs uses and whether you should diy it or hire a pro.
The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value.
Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers.
Blowing insulation into walls.
In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60.
Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.
And much of it is diy able.
Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Wall insulation can reduce a home s heat loss by 67 while attic insulation can lead to a 40 decrease in heating and cooling costs.
Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need.
Blowing insulation into an attic the most popular project for using blown in insulation is adding insulation to attics.
The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
Types of heat pumps types of dehumidifiers types of generators alternatives to central air conditioning heat loss statistics.
Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces.
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.
The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.
It s a fast and easy diy project that two people can do in an afternoon.