If you learn how to insulate an attic, you can save on the energy bills & reduce your home expenditure. Read on to explore tips on insulating your attic.

How To Insulate An Attic

Many people will agree to the fact that as a child, it was always only the bravest kid who would go and explore the cold, dark corners of the basement or attic. While every kid knew that there were treasures to be found therein, the cold air and haunting shadows seemed to be a challenging obstacle. Even as adults, people are afraid to venture there and would rather be comfortable near the warmth of the fireplace or the chill of their AC. Apart from human fears, one of the actual reasons for this phenomenon is because attics are thermal pockets that rob the house of heat in winters and chill in summers. It is essential to insulate your attic in order to save energy and reduce your electicity bills. As hot air rises above, the warmth from your heated home moves towards the colder area in the attic, thus resulting in major loss of heat. Apart from heat loss, there is also the problem of condensation, leading to damages. Due to these issues, it is strongly advisable for people to insulate their attics. The insulation of your attic, apart from being energy saving, will also provide a comfortable, additional space to you, which can be used for various purposes, such as a private den, a reading room or a recreational area. Provided ahead is a step-by-step method on how to insulate an attic, along with the necessary tips.
 
 
Insulating Your Attic
 
  • The first step is to find out the amount of insulation you already have. Using an insulation ruler, measure the thickness of the insulation already present in the attic.
  • In order to save up to 28 percent on your heating and cooling bills, you need to have at least 15 inches of batt insulation.
  • Now, calculate the amount of insulation that will be required to complete the job. You can do this by finding out the area in square feet, by multiplying the length and width in feet.
  • You will find on the attic floor dividers as well, which are known as joists. Measure the distance between joists, to determine the insulation width.
  • Divide the total square foot area by the square foot per package to find out the total number of  insulation packages that you will require.
  • While insulating, it is necessary to take safety measures, like wearing protective gear - full sleeved clothing, work boots, disposable glasses, gloves and a dust mask.
  • Proper lighting is essential, to make sure that there are no accidents. Keep the insulation packages intact, opening only one at a time.
  • It is best to start on the outer edges of the space and work towards the center.Place the batts perpendicular to the joists.
  • In order to provide proper ventilation, you could use ready-to-install, rafter-made vents in between the roof rafters. This will provide unrestricted airflow and prevent condensation.
  • While insulating around electrical points and piping, insulation must be split and appropriately placed around the device.
  • Make sure to place the insulation around 75 millimeters away from gas water heaters, metal chimneys, and other heating devices.

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