Insulation

The Facts About Attic Insulation Improvements

Insulation manufacturers estimate that as much as 30% of a home’s energy costs can escape through an improperly insulated attic. With 60 million homes in the United States under-insulated, this is a widespread issue. Sadly, so many homeowners settle for less than perfect; never realizing that, by replacing attic insulation, they can drastically reduce energy waste, increase the comfort of their living space, and earn back every penny of their investment through decreased utility bills.

Attic insulation is measured using an “R-value”. The R-value indicates how well insulation material reduces the flow of heat and cold through your home. For Baltimore and surrounding areas, the U.S. Department of Energy currently recommends an R-49 attic insulation value. However, building codes only require an R-38 value. In other words, even brand-new homes are under-insulated! When was the last time you checked the depth of your attic insulation? Your attic should have about 18″ of blown fiberglass, 16″ of rolled fiberglass, or 14″ of cellulose insulation.