There are quite a few different choices available to you when it comes to methods of insulation - in fact the process can become a little confusing if you don't have any knowledge of what the suggested levels of insulating for your area are, or if you don-t have access to the advice of a qualified professional. Make no mistake about it though, a properly insulated attic has many benefits that make it a very worthwhile investment, some of which you may not even be aware of.
Increase in Comfort
Having a properly insulated attic, after having become accustomed to living in an environment where there was either to little insulation to accommodate the area's climate, or no insulation at all, will dramatically improve the level of comfort you experience in your home from season to season.
It's almost a matter of common knowledge that the proper insulation will help keep your home warmer in the winter months, but what you may not know is that proper attic insulation can also help to keep your home cooler during the heat waves of the summer.
Insulation essentially creates a barricade effect that won-t allow the drastic differences in air temperature outside of your home invade the inside - so the warmth given off by your heating system and the cool air distributed by your air conditioner can do their jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible, regardless of the air temperature outside of your home.
Saving Money
In conjunction with the increase in comfort that you'll enjoy, a properly insulated attic will also help to save you a good deal of money on your energy bills.
By creating a seal with insulation and preventing the outside elements from intruding into your home, both your heating and your cooling systems will have to work a lot less to produce the same results.
Using less of the resources that are necessary to heat and cool your home, whether your systems are powered by electricity, by natural gas, or by home heating oil - the more money you will be able to save.
Increasing the Value of your Home
Having a properly insulated attic, even if you currently have no little or no insulation probably won't be a very large expense at all, but it will certainly add to the value of your home. Having the proof of the energy efficiency of your house by holding onto low energy bills to show to potential buyers is a great way to add value to your home. Potential buyers in the current housing market are looking for every possible advantage that one home may have over another - and low utility bills are certainly a big advantage.
Having a properly insulated attic may not be an absolute necessity, you'll probably be able to live in your home with sub-par or even no insulation in the attic, but the benefits that will come along with proper attic insulation are well worth the cost and effort to make the improvement.
This is a home improvement that the average person can purchase the supplies for, and with the small investment of the material and some hours of mild manual labor can successfully perform themselves, or with a little larger initial investment, a home owner can have a professional service come in and do an even more effective job of insulating in a fraction of the time.
Whether you decide to use insulation blowing machines or hire someone to do it for you, going from an attic that is poorly insulated to an attic that is properly insulated will ensure many benefits for a number of years to come.
When looking for information on duct cleaning equipment and insulation blowing machines, consider Heat Seal Equipment Ltd.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt
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How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Whole House Fans and AC Returns
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
Fireplaces
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com
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