Home Security
2008-04-01 12:10:00
Insulation important in summer too
QUESTION: Most people think of attic insulation only in the winter months, is it necessary in the summer as well?
ANSWER: Since hot air rises most people think of attic insulation only during the winter months, and its association with heat. Remember insulation is a material used to slow down heat flow, and it works all year long to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. In the winter, it slows heat loss and helps prevent condensation build up in your home. During summer months, insulation reduces heat gain and helps keep your home cool. Adding insulation to your home can cut your heating and cooling.
Before you add any insulation to your attic, you need to know how much insulation is already there. This is simply done by measuring the thickness of your attic’s existing insulation. Older homes normally have between 3” and 6” of fiber glass blanket insulation.
As a way to maximize the energy efficiency of both new and existing homes, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published R-value recommendations based on specific heating and cooling needs and the cost of energy across the country. R-30 value is normally the minimum; however with the Kansas extremes, most recommend at least an R-49 value.
It’s important to know that the DOE recommendations represent the necessary R-values to optimize your home’s energy efficiency. You may find that these recommendations differ from the building codes. State energy codes are merely minimum insulation requirements for new construction.
If you’re going to be adding insulation yourself the following tips can make the job much easier, safer, and more efficient.
First, some temporary flooring should be laid across the joists to provide some footing, and a temporary work light should be used to offer adequate lighting.
Install the insulation at the outer edge of the attic space and work toward the center. This allows for more headroom in the center of the space, where cutting and fitting can be done. It’s also a good idea not to get “insulated into a corner” where it will be hard to get back to the attic entry way
If the joist cavities are completely filled, lay the new insulation in long runs perpendicular to the direction of the joists, and use leftover pieces for small spaces. If the cavity is not completely filled, use the appropriate thickness of insulation to fill it to the top, and then add an additional layer of insulation in the perpendicular direction.
The insulation should extend far enough to cover the tops of the exterior walls, but should not block the flow of air from the eave vents. To make sure the eave vents aren’t blocked, attic vents or baffles should be installed to provide unrestricted air flow from the soffit to the attic.
Insulation should be kept three inches away from recessed lighting fixtures unless the fixture is marked “I.C.” (Insulated Ceiling), which is designed for direct contact with the insulation. If insulation is placed over an unrated fixture, it may cause the fixture to overheat and perhaps start a fire. Also, the insulation should always be installed at least three inches away from any metal chimneys, gas water heater flues or other heat-producing devices.
Around masonry chimneys or other areas that have small openings, stuff these spaces with small pieces of unfaced insulation, which will not burn
