Attic Insulation & Air Sealing in Spencer, TN

This 1964 house had a lot left to give.

We were over in Spencer, Tennessee working on a house that was built back in 1964. The homeowner had lived there for a while and finally decided it was time to do something about the attic. They kept telling us the house just never seemed to stay comfortable for very long. The air conditioner ran plenty, but some rooms always seemed to be a step behind.

After hearing that, I figured we’d probably find what we usually do in homes from that era.

Pretty close.

Once the old insulation started coming out.

The first thing we tackled was removing the existing insulation. It had definitely done its job over the years, but it had reached the point where it wasn’t helping much anymore.

You don’t always know exactly what you’re going to find until the attic floor is exposed.

This one wasn’t bad, honestly.

I’ve been in attics where you don’t even know where to put your feet because there’s so much old debris. This wasn’t one of those.

Just years of settled insulation and plenty of places where air had been escaping for a long time.

One of the guys looked over and said, “Well…here’s where it’s all been going.”

He wasn’t talking about the insulation.

He was pointing at another little air leak we had just uncovered.

We kept finding one more thing.

That’s kind of how these jobs go.

You seal one penetration.

Walk another few feet.

There’s another one.

Then another.

It’s never really one giant opening. At least it wasn’t on this house.

There were plumbing penetrations, electrical openings, and a few framing gaps that had probably been there since the house was built. Nothing unusual for a home from the mid-60s.

It was actually a pretty nice day to be working. Warm, but not one of those Tennessee afternoons where the attic feels twice as hot as outside.

Somebody had an old wooden ladder leaning against the garage when we pulled in that morning. I noticed it every time I walked by. No idea why.

Once everything was sealed up.

After we finished air sealing the attic, we installed enough fiberglass insulation to bring the attic up to R-38. We also installed a solar attic fan along with an Attic Hatch Master to help close off another area where conditioned air likes to disappear.

That’s really what this project turned into.

Not one upgrade.

Several smaller improvements that all worked together.

Before we loaded up, the homeowner asked if there was anything else they needed to do for the $500 TVA insulation rebate.

Luckily, this house qualified.

We walked them through the process, and since we’re part of the program, we helped make sure everything was handled correctly.

If you’re curious about how the program works, you can learn more about the TVA EnergyRight insulation rebate, including eligibility requirements and current rebate details.

Hopefully the next summer feels a little different.

Standing outside talking before we left, the homeowner said, “I wish we’d done this a few years ago.”

I hear that pretty often after these attic projects.

Homes built in the 1960s have a lot of character, but insulation standards have changed a lot since then. Bringing this attic up to today’s standards, sealing the air leaks, adding better ventilation, and installing a proper attic hatch cover should make a noticeable difference for years to come.

We work on homes like this throughout Spencer, Cookeville, and across the Upper Cumberland. Every attic has its own personality, but older homes usually have a few surprises waiting for us.

If your house feels like it’s working overtime to stay comfortable, take a look at our attic insulation services and let us see what’s going on. Call Koala Insulation of Upper Cumberland or visit our website for a FREE evaluation today!