Keep It or Pitch It: Should I Remove Old Attic Insulation?
Having the correct insulation thickness in your attic doesn’t only keep your house energy efficient. It can help you save major money on your heating and cooling costs.
If you suspect your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have enough attic insulation, now is a fantastic time to add more. Having ample insulation helps even out your residence’s temperature and stop wintertime troubles like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prepare to begin installing more installation in your attic, you might be thinking if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Instances, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your present insulation is soggy or damaged, you can usually keep it. We advise calling a pro who specializes in attic insulation in San Antonio, like San Antonio Air Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in properly and meets building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll have max benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding extra insulation. Vermiculite insulation was commonly installed in homes built before 1990. The EPA says you should presume it includes asbestos, which can lead to cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and call a professional who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Have
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which gives an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value determines how effectively insulation can stop heat. If you reside in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also affected by the type of insulation you install, its thickness and how it’s added. When you work with a professional like San Antonio Air Service Experts, our specialists take all the guessing out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be installed.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
San Antonio Air Service Experts figures out the right insulation for your attic by considering where you reside, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we put in.
Batt Attic Insulation
This type of insulation is available in sheets sized to fit your attic and is made from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most popular, due to its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but delivers excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Typically constructed from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a sustainable solution that gives superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which could include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a wise material if you have lots of tight spots to fill, like around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is budget-friendly and fire resistant, you’ll also have to consider that it can retain moisture and settle as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It gives the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for sealing cracks and other tricky-to-access spots. It’s extremely long-lasting, doesn’t go down and provides a natural sound barrier.
When you want to install extra in your attic, San Antonio Air Service Experts can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to provide skilled advice and great service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Contact us at 210-570-9705 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment today.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
