Are you looking to reduce your energy expenses and maintain comfort throughout the year? Attic wall insulation can be a smart move.
About 90% of U.S. houses are under-insulated. (U.S. Department of Energy). That’s true! In cases where your attic acts as a sauna in the summer and a freezer during winter months, your house may be wasting important energy. One solution? Install attic insulation. It is among the most effective improvements for comfort and savings in the long run.
Let’s discuss and examine the top 5 benefits of insulating your attic walls.
5 Notable Benefits of Insulating the Attic Walls
1. You’ll Start Saving Money Right Away
If your attic walls are insulated, your HVAC unit won’t work as hard. Lower energy expenditure translates to lower bills.
Here’s how the insulation helps:
- Slowing down the flow of heat through the attic walls.
- Maintaining blow conditioned air within the living spaces.
- Alleviating the exertion required from heating or cooling systems.
Pro Tip: For optimal results, integrate attic wall insulation with the sealing of air leaks.
Your utility bill will display the savings within months.
2. Eliminate Drafts and Cold Spots
Cold rooms and drafty spaces indicate that your home has poor insulation.
This is how insulation fixes the situation:
- Blocks exterior air from entering the home.
- Seal openings where air can escape or enter the home.
- Maintains steady temperatures throughout the house.
Pro Tip: Pay extra attention to rooms situated above garages or adjacent to attics—those spaces are prime areas for wall insulation upgrades.
No more hot, stuffy upstairs hallways or freezing bedrooms!
3. Enhance Indoor Air Quality
Due to vents or wall openings, your attic can be polluted with dust, pollen, and even outside pollutants. This is detrimental for people suffering from asthma or allergies.
Cellulose wall insulation improves this:
- It is dense enough to block air leakage.
- It is manufactured from recycled paper that is treated with fire and pest-resistant chemicals.
- Does not emit harmful particulates.
Bonus: It is eco-friendly too!
Improper insulation allows your attic to become a filter for outside pollution.
4. Lower Noise From Rooms and Outdoors
Sick of constant street noise and blaring TVs in the adjacent room? Insulation can help with that!
Installing insulation into the attic walls will:
- Reduce neighbourhood sounds and traffic.
- Minimize noise that is contained within the house and moves from room to room.
- Enhanced tranquility within the space.
Case Usage: Insulation is useful for attics, which is ideal for home offices and nurseries, as it helps make those regions quieter.
5. Increase Your Home’s Value and Market Appeal
Today’s homebuyers are more energy-conscious. Well-insulated attics are always a selling point.
Benefits for homeowners:
- Improves energy efficiency rating.
- Adds value over time due to lower utility costs.
- Increases interest from buyers who want smart upgrades.
Pro Tip: A documented energy audit is a great supplement for listing a home. Insulation is best done by a certified contractor.
Cost Breakdown: Wall Insulation Options
Here is a breakdown of attic wall insulation cost:
| Type of Wall Insulation | Cost per Sq Ft | Best For |
| Fiberglass Batts | $0.30 – $1.50 | Budget-friendly, easy install |
| Spray Foam | $1.00 – $3.00 | Best seal, high R-value |
| Cellulose Wall Insulation | $0.60 – $2.30 | Eco-friendly, great air barrier |
| Rigid Foam Board | $0.50 – $2.00 | Attic and crawl spaces |
Other Important Factors to Consider Before Insulating
Searching for a Reliable Insulation Contractor
Not every contractor can be labelled as ‘‘good’’. To protect yourself from poor insulation installation, make sure you hire a quality insulation contractor.
Here is what to verify:
- Relevant licenses and certifications
- Track record with attic and wall insulation
- Clear pricing policies and service guarantees
- Ratings and testimonials
Pro Tip: Ask them if they use infrared scanning to identify weak spots in the insulation. This could change everything.
Wall Insulation Cost Breakdown
Factors influencing your wall insulation cost are:
- Area of the attic walls
- Type of insulation used (foam, fiberglass, cellulose)
- Accessibility and Labour
- Geographical location of your property
In General:
- Simple fibreglass jobs will cost you about $1,000 – $1,800
- Spray foam or cellulose can cost over $3,000+
Useful tip: Rebates for energy savings or government grants can ease some of these expenses.
Why Cellulose Wall Insulation Is Gaining Popularity
Cellulose wall insulation is an option gaining popularity amongst homeowners, and it comes as no surprise.
Some advantages are as follows:
- Composed of 85% recycled materials
- Fills cavities better compared to fiberglass
- Ideal for retrofitting older homes
- Excellent fire and mold resistance
Cellulose could be the optimal selection if you’re undertaking a renovation or need to manage some old drywall.
When is it Time to Change the Insulation in the Attic
Look out for the following symptoms:
- Unexpected increase in air conditioning and heating costs
- Notable changes in temperature across different areas of the house
- Noticeable blows of cool air along the walls and ceiling in the corners
- Visible damage or sagging of insulation materials
You should also consider upgrading insulation if it’s 20 years old or has mold/water damage
Insulating Your Attic Walls Can Save You Big!
Installing attic wall insulation is undeniably the best upgrade for comfort, savings, and value for your home. Take control before overspending on your power bill. My Insulation Guy is known for its invaluable top-rated services. Keeping your home cosy year-round is the main priority served through excellent insulation services. For more details, visit our website or contact us. Lower your energy costs today and stop letting money trickle out of your attic walls!
FAQs
Q1: What’s the difference between attic insulation and wall insulation?
The attic insulation is applied to the ceiling of the attic, and insulating the wall involves placing material inside the wall cavities to minimize heat energy transfer.
Q2: Which is better: fiberglass or cellulose wall insulation?
Cellulose wall insulation offers superior air sealing capabilities and is made from recycled materials, while fiberglass is lower cost and has ease of installation.
Q3: How do I know if my attic walls need insulation?
When rooms are drafty, utility expenses are sky-high, or the insulation is old and obsolete, those are indicators that something needs changing.
Q4: Can insulation reduce humidity or mold issues?
Certainly! Humidity control, as well as the prevention of mold, is possible with well-regulated clean airflow courtesy of properly insulated attics.
Q5: Will insulating attic walls help in summer too?
Definitely. This is because the hot air outside is blocked from entering. Therefore, the AC wouldn’t be overburdened.