BIRMINGHAM Blog

6 Ways to Determine If Your Attic Is Properly Insulated

If your home feels drafty or your energy bills seem high, your attic may be under-insulated. Attic insulation in Birmingham, AL, is important for keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient. 

There is a good risk that your attic is inadequately insulated if your house is more than ten years old. Suppose at least 20 years have passed since the renovation or replacement of your home. 

Although insulation is designed to last, a house is only considered to be effectively insulated when it meets the following requirements:

• For maximum energy efficiency, complies with the most recent EPA/Energy Star R-Values.
• Rodents, water, fire, and shoddy post-construction repairs have little effect on insulation.
• There had been no blown-in cellulose insulation or moving bat-caused holes that may have compromised the comfort of the entire house.

6 Ways to Determine If Your Attic Is Properly Insulated

The following hints or techniques might help determine whether your home needs new insulation, extra insulation, or both.

1. Get Ready to Examine the Insulation

We strongly advise you to arrange for an attic review from a certified insulation contractor if you have no experience with insulation or construction. An inspection is a low-cost way to learn more about the state and caliber of your current insulation. 

Professionals are adept at spotting problems and making detailed suggestions for repairing your attic insulation in Birmingham, AL.  

2. Safely Climb to The Attic

Enter your attic space using basic attic safety techniques, and look around. While determining whether the insulation has sufficient R-Values may require in-depth research, you'll be able to identify serious problems or the feeling that "something doesn't seem quite right yet" immediately.

3. Signs of Water Damage or Leaking

Insulation is designed to be somewhat resistant, but its primary function is to keep moisture out. Roofs and attics are not designed to leak. 

Therefore, your insulation is in poor condition if you know your roof leaks or has leaked in the past, if you notice leaks or water damage, etc. Most likely, some damaged portions will require repair.

4. There Is Mold or Mildew Growth in The Attic

Similarly, mold and mildew in your home are sure signs of moisture problems. Leaks or a malfunctioning humidity management system in the home could be to blame. 

However, if there is enough moisture, there is a good probability that the insulation in the nearby attics will also be harmed.

5. The Layering of Insulation Is Not Even

Insulation stops heat transfer from happening improperly. In the summer, it reduces solar heat gain from the roof, and in the winter, it stops heating and conditioned air from escaping the house. It cannot be accomplished reliably if the layering is sporadic or variable.

The possibility that your insulation requires maintenance increases if you notice sections of bare attic walls or floor or if some areas of your insulation appear thick while others appear thin. 

Like pre-construction subcontractors, such as HVAC experts, cable installers, home automation businesses, etc., may move or damage insulation while failing to clean up their mess. Attic insulation needs to be replaced if it is shredded, missing, or in any other manner damaged.

6. Attic Insulation Hasn't Been Upgraded In Almost Ten Years.

Your attic is under-insulated if you've lived in your house for at least ten years without upgrading the insulation. The EnergyStar website states:

Thermal resistance, or R-value, is a way to grade or quantify how well an insulating material resists conducting heat flow; the higher the R-value, the better the insulating performance. 

The insulation's kind, thickness, and density all affect its R-value. The R-values of most insulations are affected by temperature, aging, and moisture accumulation.

Therefore, it is still important to contact an expert even if your insulation is older than 10 years and appears in good condition. The R-value of the insulation might not meet the new regulations, or it might not be as efficient as it once was.

Conclusion 

If your attic is under-insulated, there are a few things you can do to tell. First, check your energy bill. If it has been steadily increasing, likely, your home is not as energy-efficient as it could be. Second, take a look at your attic floor. If it is cold to the touch, there is a good chance that heat is escaping through the ceiling. Finally, if you can see any light coming through the ceiling, an opening must be sealed. By taking these steps and consulting with insulation contractors in Birmingham, AL, you can be sure that your attic is as insulated as it should be.

Count on Koala Insulation Birmingham, the attic installation specialists in Birmingham, AL, with 50+ years of experience. Contact us if you need attic insulation in Birmingham, AL!