With summer ending and the fall weather making its way into Northern Michigan, we can all expect a frigid drop in temperatures. During this time, all homeowners should be prioritizing the efficiency of their attic insulation.
Evaluate
The first step to take is evaluating your current attic space. Whether it is a walk-in or crawl space, checking to ensure moisture isn’t seeping in is imperative. If you or a licensed contractor reports moldy or rotten insulation or rafters, this indicates the potential of a leaking roof and needs to be corrected before insulation is installed.
This is a great time to check in on the overall health of your roof as well. If you increase the efficiency of the insulation in your attic, during the winter months the heat is not rising to melt the snow therefore increasing the snow load on your roof. Ensuring your rafters are in a strong condition is critical.
Insulate
Prior to the push for energy efficiency in the 1970s, many homes were insulated with fiberglass. Many of these homes R-value only equivalates to about R-11.
The energy code in Michigan requires a minimum R-value of R-38 so as you can see, R-11 is significantly below code. Many homes use blown-in cellulose insulation.
Save
In terms of attic insulation, insulating and efficiency go hand in hand. Up to 85% of heat loss occurs through the attic and it’s time to put an end to your winter heating bill being through the roof, literally. According to the Department of Energy, insulating your attic space can decrease a typical heating bill by 10-50 percent!
Lastly, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at 989.575.0190! We are here to “Keep You Warm & Dry” throughout all seasons.
