Did you know that the average home uses approximately 46% of consumed energy on heating and cooling? Yikes! Fortunately, there are several ways to curb energy use, from sealing air leaks to AC maintenance and attic insulation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTIC INSULATION

If you have visited our blog before, you may have read that properly insulating an attic can save Maryland homeowners as much as 20% on heating and cooling costs. Attic insulation helps slow the transfer of temperature between the inside and outside air. In the summer this means keeping the cool air in and the warm air out. In the winter, the opposite is true. Without the proper amount of insulation, your HVAC system will be forced to work even harder to achieve your desired temperature. Ca-ching! You can practically see the energy bills increasing from here.

Click Here to find out if you have enough attic insulation.

The recommended insulation level for most attics in Maryland is at least R-38 and up to R-60, with an insulation depth of 12-22 inches, according to Energy Star. The R-Value measures the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow.

Do you need more insulation? Don’t worry. Adding insulation is quick, easy, and incredibly affordable.

ATTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION IN MARYLAND

Attic insulation installation: it sure is a mouthful. At Minnick’s, we install two types of insulation: Spray Foam Insulation and Cellulose Insulation. Don’t know which type is right for your home or business? We’ve got you covered. Our technicians will help you determine what type of insulation is best for your needs.

BEFORE ADDING INSULATION

Before Minnick’s arrives, there are several things you should do to prepare your home:

1. Clear the clutter. Let’s be honest; you probably use your attic for storage space. This is probably okay, but you may need to clear out your attic before Minnick’s arrives. Otherwise, it may be difficult to properly insulate your attic.
2. Does your roof leak? If so, fix the leak. Insulation and moisture do not mix. Period. Wet insulation is a breeding ground for mold. Yuck! You may have to call a professional roofer to fix the leak.
3. Not all light fixtures are rated safe for contact with insulation. Because of this, it is a good idea to box out light fixtures. This can be done by the average homeowner using hardware cloth, metal flashing, or scrap plywood. You need to create a 3-inch gap around all fixtures.
4. Despite being against building code, many homebuilders get away with venting exhaust into the attic. If this is the case with your home, direct exhaust fans and vents to the outdoors. The last thing you want is for humid air to get trapped in your attic and ruin your insulation.

If you have any questions about Attic Insulation Installation, please Contact Minnick’s, a Maryland HVAC company, today at (301) 605-9112 and we’ll show you how to keep your home more comfortable and energy-efficient. You can also follow Minnick’s onFacebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest for more HVAC tips and tricks.