Easiest Way To Insulate Your Attic To Save On Utility Costs
Typically we start to think about insulation in the winter, but insulation should be a year around topic. When heating a room in the winter, the warm air rises and can escape through your attic. In the summer the hot air in the attic radiates into the rooms you are trying to cool below. By having the proper attic insulation, it will resist the transfer of heat in your home.
The main benefits to properly insulating your attic
Extend the life of the furnace and air conditioner by running less hours.
Decreased utility costs.
A smaller carbon footprint due to reduced fuel consumption.
Our inspection brought our inefficiency to light
We had very minimal insulation in the attic. Then the renovation started and some of the ceiling was opened up. This meant there was even less insulation to work with in up there.
No way were we going to pay someone to come insulate when we could do it ourselves! Upfront it seemed like a pretty easy job and after I can truthfully say, it wasn’t too terrible.
We chose to insulate with blown in cellulose over fiberglass and batts. We analyzed that the cost and labor involved were the best suited for our needs.
Cellulose is made from recycled post consumer paper and is treated to be fire and insect resistant. Plus, we determined working closely with cellulose had less health concerns than the alternative materials.
Before getting started
Check the depth of current insulation.
Know the square footage of the area you want to insulate.
Use this link to determine how much cellulose to buy.
It’s better to buy a few more than you think you’ll need. You can always return what’s unused and if definitely beats a trip back to the store in the middle of working
Most importantly, lights can be a fire hazard with close contact with insulation if they are not rated in that capacity. If they are not IC (insulation contact) rated, then you need to buy IC rated housing to go around each of them so the insulation does not come in contact with the light. Also, be aware of exhaust fans from bathrooms and such because the same concerns apply.
Another pre-insulation tip is to not push the insulation into the soffit/overhang of your roof. This allows your house to breathe and maintain a better homeostasis.
Our lights are IC rated and have an outer housing so we were a go to get started!
This is a two person job – one in the attic blowing/directing the cellulose and the second person feeding the hopper and breaking up the cellulose.
Choose your job wisely based on your abilities.
I don’t like cramped spaces and I get creeped out by spider webs – you can guess what job I picked!
You will get dirty and cellulose will be everywhere!
Materials
- Cellulose
- Blower/Hopper
- Hose
- Duct tape
- Large garbage cans (2 cans may be provided that house the hoses)
- Shovel
- Trowel
- Mask
- Eye protection
- Long sleeves and pants
- Tape measure
- Latter
Disclamer
I feel that I should say this . . .
*DO NOT STICK YOUR HANDS OR SHOVEL OR ANY EQUIPMENT INTO THE HOPPER WHILE IT IS ON*
Basically, be smart and don’t do anything stupid.
Steps
- Test to make sure blower/hopper turns on and then turn it back off.
- Connect the hose together
- Attach the hose to the blower with duct tape (make sure to really get a good seal and that it is secure)
- Use your hands or a trowel to break up the cellulose into a garbage can. For larger pieces in the garbage can, mash it with the shovel to get it into smaller portions.
- Dump the broken up cellulose into the hopper and fill to the max line.
- While you still have your partner, fill up any empty garbage cans with the broken up cellulose *You’ll appreciate this later when you are trying to keep the hopper full and your partner busy blowing* A great time saver!
- Crawl into the attic and get into position at the far end of the attic and work your way back. Be careful to only step on the floor joist or you’ll have your foot through your ceiling.
- Signal your partner to turn on the hopper and start blowing in a sweeping motion.
- While the hopper is going, keep breaking up cellulose into the garbage cans and dumping them into the hopper as necessary.
- Fill attic until you get the necessary thickness for your intended R-Value.
- Clean up, return hopper, and any unopened cellulose.
- Enjoy all the energy consumption costs you have saved!
A Final Note
You may qualify for an energy tax break and/or credit on your electric bill by improving the energy efficiency of your home. Save your receipts!
About two weeks later we got a knock on our door from an insulation salesman. Sorry dude, you’re a little late.
