Save on Your Energy Costs With Blown Attic Insulation Servicesin Jacksonville, FL

A well-insulated home is more comfortable and efficient, and adding insulation is a great investment that can lower heating and cooling costs and even add some value to your property. Attic insulation is particular important for efficiency, and the attic is also one of the easiest places to add insulation without a lot of hassle or expense.

There are often many factors to consider where attic insulation is concerned. Your team at Cool Connections, Inc. is here to answer all your insulation questions.

Why Is Insulation so Important?

As energy prices continue to rise, it pays to insulate. Improving attic insulation helps reduce the transfer of heat through ceilings and could help save you up to 48% on heating and cooling bills. According to the EPA, for every $1 homeowners saved on annual fuel bills due to energy-efficient home improvements, their home’s value jumped by $20 or more. You are also eligible for tax credits when you purchase insulation.

The Right R-Value Is Essential

The primary purpose of insulation is to stop the flow of heat, trapping heated air inside during the winter and keeping hot air outside during the summer months. The R-value measures how effectively insulation accomplishes this goal. Higher R-values mean greater resistance to heat flow.

As a general rule, Environmental Protection Agency recommends values of R30 to R60 for homes in the Jacksonville area without existing attic insulation. If your attic already has three to four inches of insulation, values of R25 to R38 are standard. To qualify for the tax credit, insulation levels must meet the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Types of Insulation

After determining the appropriate insulation value for your home, the next step is to select the right type for your needs. The most common types of insulation include batts, blown-in cellulose and spray foam. Batts are large rolls of material – typically fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton, manufactured to standard widths and designed to fit between joists or studs.

Blown insulation has loose fibers that can be blown into space at the desired depth and density. Spray foam, also known as Icynene, uses a mixture of chemicals that when sprayed into place, rapidly expand to create rigid, durable insulation.

Which Type of Attic Insulation Do I Need?

Each of these types offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but the primary consideration when choosing an insulation material for your home is space. A typical fiberglass batt offers an R-value of between 2.9 and 3.8 per inch, so reaching the desired total value may require more room than your attic can spare.

Spray foam boasts values as high as 6.2 per inch for closed-cell insulation, making it an ideal choice for cramped quarters, but it is also more expensive than other materials. Blown insulation, meanwhile, is a popular middle-ground, providing values of about 3.2 to 3.8 per inch at a lower price point than foam.

Didn’t Think Insulation Was Necessary in Northeast FL?

Insulation is typically associated with northern climates, but it is also necessary in our area. Attic insulation is impactful when it comes to boosting energy efficiency and getting the most from your HVAC system, as it’s often a primary point of heat transfer. During the sweltering heat of a Florida summer, an uninsulated attic can reach temperatures of 140 degrees or more. All that thermal energy can transfer through your attic and down into your living space, causing uncomfortable conditions and skyrocketing cooling bills.

Quality attic insulation changes all that, as it makes it much harder for the heat to enter your home. Insulation on the underside of your roof will provide a thermal barrier that blocks much of the heat that comes from your sunbaked roof. For best results, pair this with insulation for the floor of your attic to ensure any heat that builds up in your attic does not transfer to the conditioned spaces of your home below.

Attic Insulation Serving Jacksonville, FL

Whether you’re trying to beat the heat or avoid the chill of winter, attic insulation is a powerful tool to help you stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check. To learn more about how you benefit from attic insulation in Macclenny, Jacksonville, Orange Park, or St. John’s FL, call Cool Connections, Inc. today.