Did you know over 50% of the attics in Colorado Springs are under-insulated with an R-value well below what is recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy (Energy.gov).
What is R-value?
R-value is the measure of resistant to heat-flow through a given material. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.
In other words: Adequate Attic Insulation = Higher R-value = Less Wasted Energy
What’s the definition of “Adequate Insulation”?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends an R-value in the attic of R-49 to R-60 for residential dwellings in the Colorado Springs region. But most homes in Colorado Springs have an R-value of R-30 or below.
Why does this problem exist?
- Building codes used to require an R-rating of only R-30 in the attic.
- Builders used to use cheaper types of insulation material (such as Cellulose) that settles/compacts over time which reduces its R-value
Why should you Improve your Attic Insulation?
The simple answer: Heat rises. You can spend a fortune replacing windows and doors and installing new insulation in your walls, but none of these improvements will produce the same results that adequate attic insulation will. Your attic is basically a hole in the top of your house. Without proper insulation, the heat will rise straight up through your roof and draw all of the cold air from the small gaps near your windows and doors. But if the heat is not able to rise, it will fill your home and dramatically reduce the heat exchanged from your windows and doors.
Adequate attic insulation can reduce your home’s energy costs by up to 35% and make you feel much more comfortable in your home.
What if you own an investment property? If you don’t pay the utility bill every month, why should you care about providing adequate insulation in the attic?
There are three major benefits of attic insulation that affect your bottom line:
1. It preserves the life of your furnace by up to 30%.
Your furnace is a complex series of components that wear out over time. Common reasons for replacing or repairing your furnace include cracked heat exchangers, failed ignitors, broken blower motors, and defective motherboards resulting in a $1000 to $8000 service bill. The more times that your furnace has to “go to work” the faster it will start to fall apart. Attic insulation will contain the heat in the home, and prevent the furnace from turning on as often, thereby preserving its life.
2. It preserves the life of your air conditioning unit by up to 20%
While heat rises, there is still a large amount of heat exchange from the attic to your upstairs bedrooms during the summer. By minimizing this heat exchange your AC unit will have to run less times throughout the day.
3. It preserves the life of your roof and prevents problems created by moisture
When attic insulation is installed, the technicians install the proper attic ventilation required by today’s codes. This allows the attic to “breath”. When the attic breaths correctly, it prevents blisters from forming on top of the roof and allows the roof shingles to become more resistant to damage caused by weather-related catastrophes. Adequate attic ventilation also prevents moisture collection and mold growth which can save you from extremely costly restoration expenses.
In Summary:
Attic insulation in Colorado Springs is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your investment while also adding value to the tenants who occupy the property.
For more information or to schedule a Free Home Energy Evaluation to get an accurate idea on how to protect your investment, call Homefix: 719-749-1788. Are you ready to see what Homefix can do for you?
