GATEWAY WEST & METRO EAST IL Blog

Record Inflation Prices Create Concern on Keeping Your Home Warm

Winter is upon us and along with record inflation Americans are having to pay more for just about everything. Now, with cold weather arriving, fuel costs are spiking nationwide, meaning you’ll pay more at the pump and for heating your home. One of the BEST recommendations for keeping your home warm this winter, insulating your attic. 

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The lower level of your house can be drafty and cold if insulation is not installed properly. Without good insulation and proper sealing, air escapes from the building envelope. This is called the stack effect. In the wintertime when heating your house, the warm air always rises upwards. Without proper insulation, that warm air will escape through the ceilings into the attic. The air that escapes is then replaced by cold air coming in through small gaps and cracks, which is why air sealing is important.

What Is The Best Type Of Insulation For An Attic

It depends on the type of attic space. For tighter space attics, cellulose is an industry preferred option. For larger spaces, when looking for the most efficient, open-cell spray foam is a better choice. However, the most budget friendly option for most attic spaces is air sealing combined with cellulose insulation. As always, it's important to research the various types of insulation so you understand the differences and their significance.

How Much Of A Difference Does Attic Insulation Make?

Insulation can affect up to 40% of your heating and cooling costs. Attic insulation should be the primary focus when doing an insulation evaluation. Depending on where you live, the changes in the weather cause vastly different outcomes. In northern areas where there are extremely low temperatures, heat transfer outside of the home is most often the more common concern. In southern areas where the temperatures are extremely high, heat transfer into your home can be a higher priority. Discuss with your local insulation contractor to determine what kind of problems are the most concerning for homeowners in your area.

Is Adding Insulation To An Attic Worth It?

Although it may seem like an extra step to ensure the quality of your attic insulation, it's one of the most important areas in your house to check on regularly. Without proper attic insulation installed, you will lose most of the heat or air conditioning in your home. This will result in higher energy consumption, leading to a more costly energy bill. Additionally, you can expect a shorter life expectancy and higher maintenance costs for your HVAC unit, hot and cold spots throughout your building envelope, and decreased comfort levels.

At Koala Insulation of Gateway West, our experts are well-versed in all kinds of attic insulation and ventilation. Our experts will arrive with state-of-the-art equipment to thoroughly inspect your attic or home and identify any areas in need of repair or improvement. They will provide a detailed assessment of the current conditions of your space and use their years of experience to design solutions that fit your home and budget.