Poor attic insulation is one of the many reasons why households on average deal with high energy expenses every year. In fact, more than 90% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. Having a well-insulated attic allows you to control an even temperature throughout your home. With this, you can save on your monthly energy bills and even prevent major issues, such as ice dams.
One of the important aspects of attic insulation you need to know involves understanding its R-value.
How Does Attic Insulation Work?
Heat can be transferred in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. While your home’s existing insulation makes sure to slow down the heat flow, heat can still spread from warmer to cooler points in your house until the temperature is the same everywhere. This includes your attic space. Without proper attic insulation, you can’t keep the heat within your living spaces during winter. In the summer months, heat comes into your house from the outside and spreads, making your cooling system work harder than usual to remove the heat from your home.
What Does R-Value Mean?
To keep the indoor temperature at a comfortable level year-round, consider your home’s R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power and resistance to heat flow. R-value recommendations for exterior walls are typically R-13 to R-23 while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for attic spaces and ceilings. Depending on where you live and the climate of your area, you may need different R-values. If you live in a warmer climate, for example, you need lower R-values than those in colder climates.
Are you having Bone Dry Roofing replace your existing roof? That’s the ideal time to have us address your attic insulation issues. During our inspection, if accessible, Bone Dry’s team will also take a look at your attic and insulation. We’ll take photos for you of what we’re seeing and make recommendations on how much attic insulation you’ll need to protect your home year-round, in all kinds of weather. Improving your home’s insulation will cut down on your energy bills and also helps to prolong the life of your roof.
Count on the team at Bone Dry Roofing Fort Wayne not only when it comes to insulation, but also for your roof replacement, roof repair and gutters and downspout needs. Call us today at 260.267.6189, or fill out our online form to request a free estimate and consultation.
