Most homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about their insulation until the cold weather arrives driving up the heating bills. In this article, we will discuss how much insulation to add to your attic, walls, crawlspaces and other parts of your home.
How much insulation is enough? How much is too much and where is it needed? Check the structural areas of your home that are exposed where you can see insulation and measure its depth or thickness. Check in the attic, walls and unheated spaces, and measure insulation where you can.
1. Attics
Almost a quarter of a home’s heat is lost through the roof. Attics are one of the easiest and most cost-effective places to add home insulation. You can increase the effectiveness of home insulation substantially by sealing up air bypasses around chimneys, plumbing vents, wires, interior walls and exhaust fans.
Check for places where warm, moist interior air escapes into the attic. Warm moist air and cold air create excess humidity. Seal up any areas that allow warm air to travel into the attic with an appropriate fireproof sealant.
Check existing insulation for dampness and signs of mold or mildew, and discard accordingly. If you find mold, contact a professional to have it removed. Mold exposure can cause serious medical conditions. Ensure you attic has proper ventilation. Soffit vents draw in air, and ridge vents expel air out.
Roll out insulation on the floor of your attic filling completely between the joists. Apply a second layer running perpendicular to the joists for more energy efficiency and savings.
2. Wall Insulation
Insulation fills stud and joist cavities and it resists settling. Install wall insulation so it completely fills each cavity side to side and top to bottom. Completely fill cavities when you insulate the walls of your house. But remember, packing and compressing insulation reduces its effectiveness. Insulation should be installed on the interior side of the wall. Insulation should be covered with a plastic vapor barrier.
Do you know the R-values of your insulation in your walls? Have an energy inspection done or home inspector check to determine how much insulation you have and where you should add for maximum energy efficiency and savings.
High density fibreglass insulation may be expensive, but can deliver up to 35% more insulating value per inch than standard insulation.. The first 3 inches of insulation on your bare wall provides a wall with huge savings. Adding another 3 inches will not increase your energy saving by a huge margin. Do not over pack your spaces with insulation. The gyprock must fit comfortably over the insulation without bulging.
3. Basements and crawl space
Improve a home’s indoor climate by sealing basements and crawlspaces. Seal cracks around windows and vents, electrical wiring and pipes. If the basement is not insulated and finished with Gyprock, apply a waterproof sealing compound to the walls and floors for added protection.
A well-insulated home will provide comfort and energy efficiency for years to come. It’s good to know your options when selecting insulation choices for your home. Whether you are wanting the best energy efficient insulation or the most cost effective insulation materials.
Check annually for leaks around chimneys, fans, light fixtures, ductwork and pipes. Examine around your windows, doors, vents and the exterior of your home for holes or gaps to be filled.
4. Drafty doorways
Seal drafty doorways with rubber weatherstripping. You can use a double draft stopper if the space at the bottom of your door is large. This will prevent drafts from seeping in under the door in the winter..
5. Drafty windows
In the winter months, you can cover the windows with plastic sheeting and shrink with a hairdryer to add an extra protection. Plastic sheeting is sold in different sizes with double-sided tape. This is an inexpensive and practical way of sealing a window for winter months. Use caulking to fill gaps around windows and trim.
6. Insulate the water heater
Purchase a fibreglass jacket from your home improvement store and wrap your water heater. This will keep your water warmer without having to spend extra money to heat it. Adding this layer of insulation will reduce your heat loss. You will recoup the money spent on the fibreglass jacket in a few months on the money you will be saving.
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