The insulation company is silently working against you during sweltering summer temperatures, driving energy bills sky-high and making it more difficult to keep your house comfortable. But the good news is, there are proven ways to improve attic insulation and air sealing that can prevent heat and cooling losses and help you keep your home cooler.
Start with a thorough inspection of existing attic insulation to make sure it is properly installed, insulated and air sealed. If you have a leaking attic, fix those leaks first before adding more insulation to minimize heat loss.
If you do decide to add more insulation, always lay the new material over the existing fiberglass rolls in your attic, so it is a continuous, consistent layer. This will help reduce heat transfer from room to attic, and minimize the number of air gaps around recessed light fixtures (all should be rated IC).
Loose fill insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) can be tucked in between the joists as well. When laying loose-fill insulation, be sure to cover any electrical wires before you put it over them and never add insulation over a recessed ceiling light fixture, as the heat from the lighting will melt the plastic covering over the fixture.
Installing a radiant barrier in the attic is highly effective in keeping your attic cool and helps extend the life of your roof. It is a reflective material that blocks radiant heat from the sun, and keeps cool attic air inside, reducing your reliance on mechanical air conditioning in hot weather.
316 Insulation of Seattle
2420 E Union St Seattle WA 98122
253-332-7606
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