How Poor Insulation Affects You and Your Roof

Do your energy bills throughout the year seem higher than your neighbor’s? Does your house always seem cold in winter, making your furnace work overtime? It could be because your home is poorly insulated. Attic insulation has the important job of keeping warm air from escaping your living space. If there isn’t enough of it or it’s improperly installed, chances are you’ll notice it in your comfort level as well as in your energy bills. 

We’ll tell you why attic insulation is important, and when it may be time to schedule a professional inspection. 

Is There a Difference Between Attic Insulation and Roof Insulation?

All insulation is typically made of fiberglass, cellulose, or foam. However, there are two different areas where insulation can be installed. 

Attic insulation can be found in the ceiling plane, which is between the home’s ceilings and the roof. If you go up in an unfinished attic, you can look down and see it between supporting boards. Attic insulation keeps conditioned air from escaping the home’s living space below and prevents it from seeping into the attic. 

Roof insulation is typically installed up between the rafters or trusses of the roof. It’s necessary when the ceilings are part of the roof deck, such as in a finished attic or in a home with cathedral ceilings — in which there is no attic floor. In extremely hot climates when the sun beats down on the roof constantly, it can be beneficial to have roof insulation in addition to attic insulation.

Why Attic Insulation is Important

In most traditional homes, it’s necessary to insulate an attic for several reasons: 

Keeps the Home Comfortable

When attic insulation is properly installed, it helps to keep your home at a desirable temperature. When you set your thermostat to 72, your furnace kicks on until the air around your home reaches 72 degrees, then it kicks off. Every room within your home should stay comfortable, keeping everyone in your home cozy. 

If your home has poor insulation, you’ll notice different temperature zones throughout the house. The downstairs living room might be 72, while the upstairs bedrooms are freezing. This is because the heat is escaping from upstairs ceilings into the attic and out of the roof.

Prevents Energy Bills from Skyrocketing, and Wear and Tear on Your HVAC System

Because insulation keeps conditioned air from leaving the living space, your furnace and air conditioner only need to run until the indoor air meets your preferred temperature. When there isn’t enough insulation, heat escapes in winter, and cool air escapes in summer. This makes your HVAC system work harder, inevitably leading to higher energy bills and a worn out furnace and air conditioner.

Prevents Mold and Mildew Growth

One of the main reasons why attic insulation is important is because it regulates the level of moisture in your attic. Without insulation, excess heat can enter the attic, and that can lead to moisture buildup (especially if the roof isn’t properly ventilated). Over time, heat and moisture create the perfect recipe for mold and mildew. Not only can this cause air quality problems for your family, but it can also cause structural damage to your home. 

Stops Ice Dams from Forming

If you live in an area where temperatures get below freezing, it’s especially important to insulate an attic. Ice dams form when warm air from the home escapes through the roof, melts snow, and then the melted snow refreezes along the edge of the roof. The ridge of ice that forms prevents melting snow from draining, causing the liquid to settle into the home and damage walls and ceilings. 

Proper insulation reduces heat loss through the attic, minimizing the melting-freezing cycle that leads to ice dams.

Can I Inspect My Attic Insulation Myself?

If you’re experiencing irregular temperatures throughout your home, high energy bills, and ice dams, checking your insulation levels is a good idea. You can take a look at your attic insulation yourself; if you see that it’s right at or below the attic floor joists, you probably need more. 

Adding attic insulation is not an easy DIY job, but can be done. 

If your attic has blanket insulation (typically made of fiberglass), you’ll need to lay it between the joists and wall studs. Keep in mind that blanket insulation can be itchy, so you’ll want to wear long sleeves and pants.

If your attic has blown-in insulation, a blower machine is required. This process can generate a lot of dust, so you’ll want to have proper equipment to protect your eyes. 

Of course, we always recommend that an Honest Abe professional inspect and install attic or roof insulation. Our experts know exactly what levels to look for and have the equipment to do the job correctly and safely. While we’re up there, we’ll also look for any air leaks that need to be sealed, and ensure that the attic is properly ventilated to prevent moisture from building up. 

For Best Results, Call the Insulation Professionals at Honest Abe

Remember, our team is in the business of everything roofing, and that includes insulation! 

When you’re ready to have your insulation checked, count on us. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your entire roofing system is working as it should.