Staying warm during the Mid-Atlantic’s cold winters requires living in a house that can adequately protect you from the onslaught of frigid temperatures, wind, and snow. Insulation and air sealing is one of the best lines of defense you can give your Metro DC or Fairfax home, but there are some areas that are more important to target than others.
Attic insulation is among the most energy efficient upgrades you can get for your home, and the cost to insulate your attic properly and seal air leaks will be repaid for years to come in the energy bill savings as well as improved home comfort.
How Do I Know If I Have Poor Attic Insulation?
There are some telltale signs of an underinsulated attic. If you’ve noticed any of the following, the attic insulation in your Northern VA, MD, or DC home could be the culprit:
- Increased monthly heating costs
- Chilly indoor drafts
- Noticeable difference in temperature between the downstairs and upstairs
- Water leakage or ceiling moisture damage
How Does Attic Insulation and Air Sealing Work?
Insulation helps slow the transfer of heat between the outdoors and the living spaces in your home. Air sealing fills in gaps and air leaks that allow unwanted air movement between your home’s air boundary.
Proper insulation and air sealing in your attic is useful in counteracting what is called “the stack effect.” This is when air pressure imbalance pulls hot air up through your home and out the top of your house.
What Are the Best Attic Ceiling Insulation Types?
There are many different types of insulation materials that can be used throughout a home. But the best kind of insulation for basement walls isn’t necessarily going to be the same as the highest performing attic insulation options available. When it comes to attics, The Fifth Fuel recommends blown in cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper that’s been treated to be fire-resistant. Blown in insulation thickly covers the floor of your attic to help keep your heat inside.
Upgrade Your Comfort This Winter with Insulation and Air Sealing
With The Fifth Fuel, we’ll handle your old attic insulation removal, clean-up, and air sealing, and new insulation installation, making this home upgrade easy and stress-free. Plus, when we’re done, your improved home performance will reduce your heating bills in the winter and cooling bills in the summer. Stay comfortable in your Arlington or Alexandria home all year-round when you choose a superior attic insulation company like The Fifth Fuel.
Find out if your attic insulation could be improved today. The best place to start is by scheduling a home energy audit! Our team of building science professionals will use a series of diagnostic tests to determine your current home performance and where upgrades will make the most difference.
