• Part 1 on Home Weatherization Series

Attic Insulation-I've put a little information to explain Attic Insulation for a Home. 

It takes a whole house approach to Reduce a Home's Energy Needs.

• The Attic Area and Attic insulation being just one area. When Combined with a Green Roofing System- The pair combined are your First Defense Against Rising Energy Costs.

AIR INFILTRATION AREAS BE RESOLVED BEFORE ADDING INSULATION- STOP THE AIR (HOT OR COLD) FROM ENTERING OR LEAVING A HOME.

• This includes: proper attic ventilation, ceiling protrusions(Light Boxes / Ceiling Fan), access points, mechanical and electric points, Attic Knee Walls, Obtrusion's-

• Anything that will allow the unconditioned air from the Exterior of the Home

Adding Radiant Barriers for Existing Buildings-in a nutshell this bounces the Exterior Temperature back outside. 

Radiant Barriers are being used in more Construction Projects in today's construction techniques to assist homeowners with additional savings on utility bills.

• Attached to the Underneath Side of Existing Rafters- Best Option for Retrofits

• Reflective Radiant Barriers have R-Values that range from R-3.7 to R-17

Prior Experience: R30 2x4 Vaulted Roof System Example #105:

• Light Color Shingles on Exterior

• 1 in roof decking

• 2x4 Rafters 16" Space

• R13 Batt Insulation

• Double Sided Radiant Barier

  • Also Acts as Vapor Barrier

• Adequate Ventilation Provided by

  • Automatic Power Attic Fan Peak of Roof

  • Proper Vents in Soffits and Gable Ends

ENERGY SAVINGS:

• Reduced the Need for 1 window AC unit in Typical Two Story Stick Built Home-

• This translates to a Savings of $30 / Month during Cooling Months or $120-$160 / Year.

  • This Application Payed for itself in the 1st Summer 06. At the time of writing this article the estimated savings for 5 yrs is $600. This Pays for 100% of the Materials used in the Green Roof System for the Upstairs Bedroom Remodel.

• The Only drawback reported by owner (which wasn't really a drawback since it was his teen-age sons room) was the decrease in cell phone reception,

  • This is caused by the Reflective Nature of the Reflective Foil Radiant Barrier.

Attic Add Insulation to meet Suggested Guidelines for the St Louis Area

• w/ no insulation Add Insulation to achieve=R38 to R60

• If existing 3-4 inches Add Insulation to achieve=R38

• Suggested needed R value of Insulation on Attic Floor=R25 to R30

Insulation when used in conjunction with a Radiant Barrier can lower the Cost of Insulation by reducing the Amount of Insulation Needed