Reducing Energy Bills With Attic Insulation
January 27, 2015
There's a lot to be said for energy conservation - as a community and as a nation.But it all starts at home, and quite often, the motivating influence is saving on energy bills.The big picture on energy conservation is about conserving resources, contributing to cleaner air and reducing green house gases.But the for the average homeowner, an energy efficient home translates into energy conservation and meaningful cost savings.Overall dollar savings across the nation are substantial and positive contributions to the environment significant.
A homeowner can save energy (and improve home comfort) by simply implementing energy-efficient practices.And this applies equally when building a brand new home, renovating an existing home, or retrofitting for improved energy efficiency.Making the home more energy efficient is actually the first stage in "going green" - and one of the best places to start is the attic.In fact, insulating the attic might be the most important part of the home to make energy efficient improvements.The right insulating product and a proper install can save big bucks.
It's important for a homeowner to have a basic understanding of the insulating products available on the market, and even the associated installation techniques.This can be difficult, because we're bombarded with marketing, and it turns out that every product is the best.But most professionals in the industry will agree that SEALING and INSULATING go hand-in-hand, regardless of which product is being used.And in the attic area, sealing is essential because any openings, holes, gaps and cracks can allow as much airflow as an open window.
The best insulation product on the market, and especially for the attic, is polyurethane spray foam.Contractors nationwide agree that spray foam is the best sealer and the best insulator, delivering more benefits than any other product.It's sprayed as a thick liquid, expands almost immediately, and hardens into a super-dense blanket of insulation.As a sealer, it fills every hole, crack and crevice completely (even hard-to-reach spaces).And as an insulator, it brings the highest R-Value to the the space where its applied.There is no better product available.
Another product, also ideal for the attic, is "blown-in" insulation.Available in two product compositions - fiberglass or cellulose - the product is "fluffy" in its nature, and is designed to restrict air movement.The product delivers very effective insulation value, and is particularly suited for large and expansive spaces like the attic.Both product compositions (fiberglass or cellulose) are fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and rodent-resistant.Properly installed, "blown-in" insulation is an extremely affordable insulation option, with excellent dollar value.
Probably the very best approach to attic insulation is a combination of spray foam insulation and "blown-in" insulation - it's a combination approach that seals and insulates to the max.In fact, a good contractor will make sure that the sealing and insulating components are working well together, and further complimented with proper ventilation.The professional approach to attic insulation is the way to substantial energy savings - and cost savings from one season to the next.After all, reducing energy bills is really the bottom line.
