Insulation can reduce how hot it gets up there but, more importantly, it prevents heat from spreading to the rest of the house, resulting in a 20-60% energy savings.
The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. While it's a given that the insulation in your attic will keep the home warmer during the winter, it isn't immediately obvious that insulation can also help to keep the home comfortable during the summer.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, proper insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20%. This can result in significant savings on energy bills, making it a worthwhile investment.
How many degrees of difference insulation makes on its own depends on the type of home you have, what the weather is like and what kind of insulation you have. Depending on what you choose, you could see a five- to 20-degree temperature difference just based on the insulation alone.
Temperature Benefits With Attic Insulation
Most homes experience an increase of 5 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit after installing attic insulation. It prevents heat loss through the ceiling into the attic during winter and stops heat penetration from the attic through the ceiling into the home during summer.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers.
The short answer is yes. Effective insulation can help keep cool, air-conditioned air inside and keep the heat out for a more comfortable summer at home.
Based on new research, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) estimates that roughly 90% of existing U.S. homes are under-insulated. That means that the occupants are less comfortable, and both energy and money are being wasted.
“Pipes can expand in high temperatures, leading to leaks or even bursts, especially in older systems. And when it comes to electricity, the increased power consumption during hot spells can overload your system, potentially causing circuit issues or, in worst-case scenarios, electrical fires.”
Highly reflective foils in radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems reflect radiant heat away from living spaces, making them particularly useful in cooling climates. Other less common materials such as cementitious and phenolic foams and perlite are also available.
Winter erosion, UV damage and condensation may require insulation replacement to avoid temperature fluctuations or malfunctioning. With worn insulation or no insulation at all, refrigerant lines may absorb heat, reducing the system's cooling capacity.
EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements.
Whether you're building a new home or retrofitting an old house, proper insulation could cut your energy costs by up to 45%. Depending on the size of your home, your investment could pay off in 3-5 years. But the tangible benefits are immediate.
While insulation can't entirely “stop” heat, it dramatically reduces its transfer. Proper attic insulation slows heat movement, helping to prevent external heat from coming inside during the summer and making spaces like your attic much cooler.
Lowe's is here to help with our blown-in and batt insulation installation service. There are two types of insulation material to choose from, and which one you choose is up to you. Cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper and treated to be fire-resistant, is the most common material used.
Adding insulation to the attic is generally a moderately difficult do-it-yourself (DIY) project, but the benefits can be substantial. If you are doing a major home renovation project, now may be a great time to tackle this project too.
When floors, ceilings and walls are cold to touch, it's a sure-fire sign that your home is under-insulated. All these parts of your home should feel dry and warm. Conversely, your external walls should be cold, as great insulation keeps the warmth within your home.
About 35% of the heat will escape through the walls and through gaps, in and around windows and doors, and about 10% of heat will disappear through the floor. Taking action to make sure your home is energy efficient has many benefits. For your pocket, for your comfort and for the environment.
Report: 89% of Homes Are Under Insulated. New research sponsored by NAIMA and conducted by ICF Consulting shows that 89 percent of U.S. single-family homes are under-insulated, decreasing comfort while increasing energy costs for homeowners.
Insulation can even help keep your home cool, because most types - certainly external wall and likely also cavity wall - will stop your home from getting as hot in the first place.
Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees. Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.
Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.