When it comes to properly insulating your home, the attic should be your top priority. Insulating the attic is relatively simple when compared to other parts of the house, and it keeps heat energy from transferring from the attic into the house during summer and escaping from living spaces into the attic during winter. Because of the relatively mild winter climate in the Yuma area, attic insulation provides the most benefits during the cooling season. However, it also can help you save money during cold winter days.
Options for Attic Insulation
- Fiberglass insulation in batts or blankets fits snugly between joists and beams in the attic. However, this type of insulation does not provide much of an air barrier, and should be used in tandem with effective air sealing. The insulation should rise to the top of floor joists.
- Loose-fill insulation, which may be composed of cellulose, fiberglass, or rock-wood fibers or pellets, can be blown into spaces. Give this task to a professional who has the proper equipment. The best blown-in insulation is fiberglass.
- Rigid-foam insulation provides excellent insulating qualities, though it’s difficult to install snugly enough where it doesn’t leave openings.
- Spray-foam insulation both seals and insulates, and is often used on the underside of the roof to prevent the attic from overheating. It can be relatively, expensive, however.
Pay Attention to the R-Value
You’ll want to select the correct R-value (a measure of heat resistance) for the southwest Arizona climate. Your HVAC professional can advise you on this, though R-value calculators also can be found online.
Don’t Forget About Air Sealing
Insulation’s main purpose is resisting heat movement – not air movement. If your attic is poorly sealed, and isn’t properly ventilated, insulation alone won’t be enough to control heat movement into and out of the attic. In addition, it’s crucial for the attic hatch or door to be properly sealed and insulated.
For help insulating the attic in your Yuma area home, please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about attic insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
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