The purpose of an attic is above and beyond being used for storage. Its most important purposed is to act as a protective barrier from heat, cold and humidity. The thing is, for it to do its job, you need attic insulation. When an attic isn’t insulated or the insulation hasn’t been updated in a long time, it compromises your home’s efficiency, safety, and comfort. Following are more detailed reasons why your attic needs insulation.
Prevents Energy Loss
Taking action to prevent energy loss is very important when thinking of ways to make your home greener. Losing hot or cold air in the home results in substantial energy waste. Any area where you can prevent this waste is important to focus on. Contacting professional roofers to have your attic inspected is the best way to help prevent energy loss.
Saves Money
If your home is in a cold climate, keeping it warm during the winter months (especially with a ventilation issue) is expensive. Heating and cooling costs account for approximately 50 to 70 % of the energy utilized in an average residence. Attic insulation is the best way to lower energy bills. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), property owners can save approximately 15% on heating and cooling charges by air sealing their homes, and insulating attics, crawl spaces and floors.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
A ventilation issue can allow outdoor contaminants like mildew, mold, dirt, and dust to enter a home through air leakages brought on by poor insulation. Eventually, these airborne toxins can significantly compromise indoor air quality. Having professional roofers install attic insulation will help prevent pollutants from entering and spreading throughout your home.
Safer Home Structure
Properly installed attic insulation can prevent water vapor from leaking in and deteriorating your walls. In addition, insulation minimizes heat buildup in the attic that can cause shingles on the roof to swell and split. Heat buildup can also cause the plywood on decks to soften and warp. Attic insulation also helps keep ice dams (caused when snow melts and refreezes along the roof’s edge) from forming. In addition, insulation helps prevent the mold that tends to grow in cool, moist areas.
If you’ve been considering having attic insulation installed, or having it updated, the fall months are a good time to schedule service with experienced roofers. They’ll also be able to suggest ways to improve energy consumption.
