3 Tips for a More Energy-Efficient Attic
We all know that heat rises, but where does it go after that? Depending on the conditions within your attic, the heat could get trapped up there or it could be escaping through cracks in the house’s structure. Whichever the case is, neither is ideal for the integrity of your home’s structure or your energy bills. As we leave summer behind us and head into the later months of the year, it’s important to make sure that you have an energy-efficient attic before you start cranking up the heat indoors.
If you feel that your house is struggling to maintain a comfortable temperature or your energy bills are too high, chances are that there’s an underlying problem in the attic. Just as every home is unique, so is every attic. A comprehensive attic evaluation by a professional will be able to lay out the current conditions of your attic and let you know the areas that need improvement.
In the meantime, continue reading for three of the most common ways to protect your home and attic while making it more energy-efficient and cost effective:
Provide Proper Ventilation
In terms of comfort, having the heat go up to your attic sounds good at first. At least it’s not down where you live, right? The problem is that without proper attic ventilation, most of the hot air stops under your roof. As more hot air goes upward, it stacks below the air that’s already there. Once all the attic air is heated, the rooms below it begin to feel the heat, as well.
In terms of cost, the extra heat that’s trapped inside your house forces your air conditioning system to work harder. As a result, your energy bill is higher than it should be. All the extra heat and lack of air movement in the attic can indirectly cause structural issues, adding to your costs over time. Lack of attic ventilation can lead to other problems such as:
- Excess moisture that creates a good environment for mold and wood rot.
- Expansion and contraction of wood that damages your subroof and shingles.
- Ice dams in the winter that can cause water damage when they melt.
- The burden and cost of having to fix an unventilated attic.
Proper attic ventilation not only adds comfort to your everyday life in your home, but it also helps to retain your home’s value and the investment that you’ve made into it. This will especially prove to be beneficial if you ever find yourself in the process of selling your home.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Insulation
Upgrading your attic’s insulation to new energy-efficient insulation is the best way to protect your home and your wallet over time. After all, the insulation in the attic has the biggest impact on energy consumption. Our insulation installation services pay for themselves over time by saving our customers on average 17% on their heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
In addition to the savings on energy costs, new insulation improves the overall indoor air quality within the home. Replacing old insulation helps to reduce the flow of harmful air particles into your home that can trigger those with asthma or allergies. It also helps to see if there are any underlying issues beneath the insulation such as mold, mildew, wood rot, or pest activity.
Seal Cracks to Minimize Air Leaks
We not only look to ventilate or insulate your home properly, but to take it a step further and identify any other areas that are commonly missed like air leaks. This extra step is also a money saver because your HVAC system won’t be working harder to pump air that will inevitably flow outside of your home.
Attic Evaluations by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement
We offer a wide array of attic services designed to protect your family and your home. An attic evaluation performed by a moisture management professional is the best way to make sure that your attic is free from mold growth and is insulated properly to defend your home from heating and cooling loss. Our detailed evaluation is designed to identify these issues and more within the attic.
Our technicians analyze the attic conditions, as well as ensure that it is properly ventilated and insulated. With each of our attic evaluations, we provide you with the information needed to identify any problems, ensure that your attic is protected from issues commonly found in attics, and to prevent large scale repairs in the future.
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