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SAN LEANDRO — Even if you don’t spend much time in your attic, you shouldn’t neglect this area of your home. At least once a year, you should inspect your attic for potential issues. Furthermore, if your attic isn’t thermally efficient, you should consider making upgrades to bring it up to code.
Why should you do these things? If you’re like most people, you’re motivated by four factors: health, wealth, love and happiness. A clean, energy-efficient attic can contribute to each of these factors. Here’s how:
Health
In seven of every 10 homes Atticare visits, we find rodent infestation in the attic. Rodents can cause a lot of problems in your attic—they can chew on your insulation, which compromises thermal efficiency; they can chew on electrical wires, which increases the risk of fire; and they urinate and leave droppings, which can impact your home’s air quality and lead to health risks. Even if there aren’t rodents in your attic, there may be moisture-related problems like mold and bacteria, which can also lead to health issues. That’s why it’s wise to inspect your attic annually and have any problems addressed by a professional.
Wealth
Saving money is equivalent to making money. That’s why it makes sense to invest in upgrades that decrease your home’s energy bills, and the attic is a great place to start. Simply increasing the R-value of your attic insulation can substantially reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Another worthwhile measure is air-sealing your attic, which involves sealing cracks and gaps around light fixtures, vents, pipes, and electrical wiring. Prior to being sealed, the air transmission through these gaps commonly adds up to the equivalent of an open 2’x 2’ window. By performing air-sealing along with upgrading attic insulation, you’ll save money on your monthly energy bills.
Love and Happiness
If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s the planet we live on. That’s why taking part in the conservation effort is a great way to love yourself, love others and be happy. One way you can participate is by maximizing the energy efficiency of your home. Consider this: By completely reinsulating a 1,000-square-foot space (the equivalent of a small residence), you can prevent roughly 4,000 pounds of emission of gasses like CO2. That’s why we recommend upgrading the insulation in your attic and other parts of your home.