How Much Insulation Is Required In Attic

How much insulation in attic for zones 5 7.

How much insulation is required in attic.

If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. In zone 6 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 14 inches of r49 fill. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your.

The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. Having enough insulation in your attic is one of the best ways to save energy on both heating and cooling your home. The thicker the better. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

How much insulation do i need in my attic. Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills plus prevent major issues like ice dams in the winter. In zone 5 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 11 inches of r38 fill. The insulation levels of an attic or of any part of a house are understood through the r value that is the value with which the insulating material is resistant to heat flow.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Add the right kind of insulation. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

How well a particular insulation works is expressed by the r value which ranges from 2 0 to 8 0 per inch of insulation. It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic. The higher the r value the better job the insulation does at preventing the transfer of heat. To determine the present r value of your attic insulation have an energy assessment.

You can also measure the height of the insulation and multiply times the r value per inch of the ma terial that is in place 2 5 to 4 0 per inch on average. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Increasing attic insulation to an r 50 can provide a good barrier to heat loss. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. If your attic insulation is only a few inches thick or if you can see the ceiling joists you re wasting money on your heating and cooling bills.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.