How much insulation is enough?
In a recent survey, only 20% of homes built before 1980 were well insulated. In our local climate it is recommended to install up to 9″ of insulation or R-30 in the attic. The best payback is up to 6″ or R-19, after that the payback or return on your investment drops dramatically. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If there is less than six inches (R-19) you could reduce your heating and cooling bills substantially by adding more insulation. If your attic has ample insulation and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer, chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls as well. This is a more expensive method that usually requires an insulation contractor, but it can be well worth the cost in comfort and energy savings. If you are building a new home there are some new and innovative ways to insulate. Check with your building contractor on the latest insulating techniques. If you are
