Insulation Solutions for Older Homes

Are you noticing that the winters have felt much colder lately? Are you having trouble getting and keeping your home warm? Is your home an older structure that has an attic? If it is, you may have an insulation problem. You need to be sure to have your home properly insulated.

The energy efficiency of a house can reduce the costs in a big way. For example, water heating uses around ninety percent of the energy it takes for a washer to operate. Washing machines that are more modern can clean your clothes without using any hot water. 

Similarly, the insulation heat loss of your home can lead to paying a much higher bill than cutting down on it. You may ask, “How do I keep my family and home warm in the harsh winter months without cleaning out my bank account?”

The answer is to invest in getting your attic insulated.

Why the Attic? 

It is common knowledge that heat rises as cool air sinks to a low level. If you apply that observation to your home, you will understand that without proper insulation, in the colder months, the warm air you need will rise to the attic.

Regardless of how tiny the gaps are that lead up to the attic, warm air will find ways to go up. The pressure in the area with warm air will increase. On a cold day, that pressure and the lower pressure from outside pull the warm air through any gap it is able to find.

Also, the high air pressure at the top of the house will create low pressure at the bottom. The cold air gets pulled in because of the different air pressures, making your home very cold. This is known as the stack effect by energy experts.

If you plan on insulating your attic yourself, be sure to read the pre-insulation steps before you get started.

Fill the Gaps

An insulated attic does not mean a sealed attic. Make sure to seal all of the gaps in your attic before you begin installing the insulation. Insulation works to slow down heat loss but not to stop airflow. Check for all gaps and holes where air can pass and seal them all up. Also check gaps from light fixtures, pipes, wiring, and heating and cooling ducts. Use weather stripping around the edges of your attic door for an attic door seal.

Warm air is also able to leave through the attic ventilation, so in the summer, vents in the attic can keep the house nice and cool.

Attics that are already insulated actually require more elbow grease. Remember to wear safety gear: long pants and sleeves, gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask.

Overall, the attic is the biggest factor in heat loss. However, you should not ignore other common leaks. After the attic, windows are the second largest problem. Make sure you have the storm windows in place. Keep your exterior walls insulated as well.

For safer and more efficient insulation installation, Anderson Insulation can help with all your needs.