HOT TOPICS >> Why homestead? • Gas prices • Great places • Save money • Preserve food

How to Insulate Your Attic and Save Money Year-round

Adding insulation to your attic can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient year-round.
U.S. GREENFIBER
Article Tools

As temperatures climb, probably the last thing on your mind is climbing into your attic and putting up more insulation.

But consider this: a well-insulated attic could slash your air conditioning bills throughout these warmer months in addition to reducing heating costs once winter rolls around.

'Adding additional cellulose insulation to an attic is often one of the most cost-effective strategies for improving the energy performance of a home,' says Alex Wilson, author of Your Green Home and president of BuildingGreen, Inc., a company that helps businesses improve the environmental performance of their buildings. 'Not only will the added insulation reduce heating and air conditioning bills, but it will also improve comfort by helping to seal air leaks.'

Here are steps to get started on this money-saving project that's relatively easy to do yourself.

1: Grab a yardstick or tape measure and make the ascent into your attic. Determine the R-value (the resistance to heat flow) of your current insulation by measuring its thickness in inches and multiplying that number by the R-value per inch for your type of insulation (see below):

Fiberglass blanket or batt3.2
High-density fiberglass blanket or batts3.8
Loose-fill fiberglass2.5
Loose-fill rock wool2.8
Loose-fill cellulose3.5
Perlite or vermiculite2.7
Expanded polystyrene board3.8
Extruded polystyrene board4.8
Polyisocyanurate board, unfaced5.9
Polyisocyanurate board, foil-faced7.0
Spray polyurethane foam5.9

For example, if you have loose-fill cellulose attic insulation that measures 10 inches thick, you have an R-value of about 35.

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >>



Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

Save More Money & Trees!

Pay with a credit card now and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save a total of $9.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

Mother Earth News offers you practical information on cutting energy costs, do-it-yourself home improvements, organic gardening, self-sufficiency, sustainable technologies and much more!

OR choose the "BILL ME" option and we'll bill you $14.95 for 6 issues of Mother Earth News. That's still a $5 savings off the regular price of $19.95!

First Name: *
Last Name: *
Address: *
City: *
State/Province: *
Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, $15.50 (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, $18.00. U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here