Is Your Attic Under-Insulated?

SAN LEANDRO — Are your heating and air conditioning bills out of control? Do you often find yourself feeling uncomfortable in your home? Believe it or not, the problem (and the solution) may be just overhead.

Few homeowners realize the impact that attic insulation can have on things like in-home comfort and energy costs. Attic insulation helps regulate a home’s indoor temperature by keeping conditioned air in the living space. Unfortunately, most homes in the United States have under-insulated attics, which allow conditioned air to easily escape from living areas. In this scenario, a home’s heater or air conditioner must work harder to maintain the desired temperature, which results in higher energy costs.

Considering the impact attic insulation has on in-home comfort and energy costs, it’s worthwhile to invest in adding more as needed. So, how can you tell if your home has an under-insulated attic?

Fortunately, this is something you can quickly check yourself. Simply go up to your attic and look at the level of the insulation. If it’s level with or below the wood framing beams (roughly 3 to 3 1/2 inches high), you probably need to add some more. However, if the insulation is higher than the beams, you’re probably all right.

If you find that your attic lacks adequate insulation, your best bet is to hire a professional to add some more. While they’re at it, they can inspect and clean your attic and address any additional problems, such as air leaks and rodent infestation. In the end, you’ll feel good knowing your home is as comfortable, energy-efficient and sanitary as it should be.