It's nearly winter, and your electric bill is starting to reflect those colder temps. You're probably wondering how you can save money on your energy bill right about now. Most homeowners don't put much thought into their attic or crawl space. Since they're not commonly used or visited, it's one of the locations in the home that tends to go unnoticed. Crawl spaces and attics can let air seep through causing poor energy efficiency. For optimal energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundation. Is yours?
Insulating Your Attic
Air leaks in your attic increase heating and cooling bills by letting unconditioned air in and conditioned air out. Sealing and installing a good quality insulation can improve your home's efficiency. Loose-fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. Loose-fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation, and provides better coverage when installed properly.
Three Types Of Attic Insulation
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is great for insulating empty spaces, such as attics and crawl spaces. Cellulose insulation is thick, dense, and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas (such as walls) and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts (found both in walls and in attics).
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass is a type of fiber primarily composed of glass that is used as a residential and commercial thermal insulator. As an insulator, it slows the spread of heat, cold, and sound in structures. By trapping pockets of air, it keeps rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and thereby serves as a convenient method to increase energy efficiency. Commonly found in blanket form, called batts, it is available in standard pre-cut lengths and widths. Fiberglass insulation also comes as loose fill that can be blown into attic, wall and floor cavities.
Foam Spray
Spray foam insulation offers a dynamic option that is suitable for almost any attic. Attic spray foam insulation has a versatile application method, which gives it a significant advantage over traditional options. It can be applied in narrow areas, blocking gaps and cracks that allow heat transfer. While foam spray insulation is typically a more costly option, it is designed to last and typically requires less cost for repair over the years.
Insulating Your Crawl Space
Unfortunately, energy efficiency issues in crawl spaces can easily go unnoticed. Insulation can help seal off the crawl space and keep your house at the temperature you desire. Proper insulation can also prevent pipes from freezing and bursting in colder weather.
Two Types Of Crawl Space Insulation
Vapor Barrier System
A crawl space vapor barrier system prevents ground moisture evaporation from entering the crawl space. It's designed to resist the flow of air. The vapor barrier system turns the crawl space into a semi-conditioned area by stopping the air movement and making the temperature close to the living spaces in your home above. When the temperature in the crawl space is similar to the temperature in the home's living areas, your floors will feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Foam Spray
Spray foam insulation can help seal things up for good and eliminate any worries you may have about your crawl space. Spray foam is highly dense, and a little bit goes a long ways. It's non-permeable so it can help seal up any air gaps to eliminate moisture and keep your space free of mold, mildew and rot. While the only guarantee of a rodent-free home is ongoing pest control service, spray foam makes it less likely you'll be invaded by rodents. Spray foam is hard and an unwelcoming substance for them, unlike fiberglass insulation.
Let A B Pest Control and Insulation Inspect Your Attic and Crawl Space
If you are looking to insulate your attic or have a vapor barrier installed in your crawl space, enlist the help of a professional crawl space insulation company at the Lake of the Ozarks. They can make sure your house is cleaner, more energy efficient and healthier for you and your family. A B Pest Control and Insulation can seal up your crawl space and attic, so that you can eliminate moisture, odors, and pests for good! Call us for a free no obligation quote at (573) 964-1100.
