Proper insulation is one of the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Heat loss through the roof and attic accounts for over 25% of a home’s total heat transfer. Without adequate attic insulation, your HVAC system ends up working overtime to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors. Installing blown-in insulation helps regulate attic heat flow for dramatically lower energy bills.
Why Blown-In Insulation?
Blown in attic insulation gets its name from the method of installation – tiny pieces of insulation material are blown in using pneumatic hoses that distribute fibers evenly across hard-to-reach spaces. This makes it the ideal insulation solution for retrofitting attics.
Benefits of blown-in attic insulation include:
Superior Coverage – The tiny pieces fill every nook and cranny throughout your attic for complete, consistent coverage and all-over R-value improvements.
Improved Efficiency – expert installation ensures correct insulation depth and density without gaps that compromise efficiency. Achieve recommended R-60 levels easier.
Air Sealing – The process seals cracks, gaps around pipes/wires to prevent conditioned indoor air escaping through the attic.
Cost Savings – Better insulation drastically reduces heat transfer through your attic and roof. This leads to much lower energy usage and electric bills!
Added Comfort – More regulated attic temperatures keep indoor living spaces cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
How Much Insulation Is Needed?
The Department of Energy issues recommended R-value guidelines based on climate zone. For hot southern states like Texas, they advise R-values between R-30 to R-60. Older homes often lack sufficient insulation. Have an energy audit done to determine your existing insulation levels and how much needs adding.
Blown-in insulation’s ease of installation makes hitting target R-values simple. Whether your attic has existing batt insulation or none at all, blown-in application allows seamlessly building up depth without needing to disturb or remove current materials.
Blown-In Insulation Materials
Several types of blown-in insulation exist, each with slightly different properties:
Cellulose
Made from recycled materials like old newsprint, denim scraps or other fibers. An excellent green insulation option given its high recycled content. Cellulose works well for renovations or oddly-shaped attics given its ability to completely fill spaces. Offers good fire resistance and moisture regulation properties too.
Fiberglass
Molten glass spun into billions of tiny fibers then treated for fire/pest resistance. One of the most affordable and common insulations used. Modern, loose-fill fiberglass versions maximize air sealing and attic coverage capabilities. No major downsides besides potential skin irritation during installation.
Rock Wool
Made by melting volcanic rock or metals like steel slag into spun fibers. Growing in popularity as a sustainable option. Rock wool blown-in insulation offers good sound damping, fire resistance and durability. While costlier than fiberglass, it requires less total depth to achieve target R-values.
Whichever material you select, blown-in application allows attaining preferred R-60+ levels for peak efficiency. Consult insulation pros on the best type for your climate and home.
Preparing Your Attic for Insulation
To ready your attic for blown-in installation:
Inspect Carefully – check for leaks, electrical issues or critter infestations need addressing beforehand
Air Seal – thoroughly caulk/foam seal any ceiling light fixtures, penetrations or gaps allowing air flow between attic and living spaces. Vital for preventing condensation issues.
Install Baffles – place ventilation baffles along eaves and rafters to allow soffit intake airflow to your upper ridge vent, preventing insulation blockages
Clear Debris – remove or elevate any items blocking installation access paths. Don’t step directly on drywall ceilings.
Once prepped, the attic is ready for blown-in insulation fåinstallation.
Professional Installation
It’s highly advisable to hire certified pro insulation contractors rather than DIY. Their powerful equipment can efficiently pump large amounts of insulation through hoses onto attic surfaces at carefully controlled rates. This achieves proper density and depth across every area including difficult-to-reach spots. Trying to manually spread insulation evenly at R-60 depth would be extremely labor-intensive.
Reputable insulators also assess your attic’s specific needs like existing insulation conditions, leaks, ventilation and accessibility. They develop custom installation plans to make the process smooth while optimizing energy efficiency.
Many companies also handle securing any necessary permits, scheduling coordinating work like drywall repairs or light fixture sealing around their installation, and cleaning up any residual mess before they leave. Taking advantage of their expertise makes attic insulation projects much less stressful!
Enjoy a Cozier, Energy Efficient Home!
Once your blown-in insulation installation completes, you’ll quickly notice the benefits through enhanced comfort and smaller utility bills – not to mention added peace of mind your home now has superior protection against temperature extremes.
Be sure to keep receipts for potential home efficiency tax credits and rebates. Also consider adding attic insulation checks to your annual home maintenance routine going forward. Keeping insulation at optimal levels saves money long-term on HVAC energy requirements.
With the right R-60 insulation preparations, you can count on more comfortable, cost-effective living ahead! Here’s to keeping cool in the heat, warm in the cold and embracing blown-in attic insulation’s modern comforts and conveniences all year round.