When it comes to finding ways to make your Phoenix home more energy-efficient, how often do you think about your attic space? This empty void is often ignored or used for storage in most homes, yet it represents one of the best areas to start if you’d like to lower your utility bills. An attic is an ideal place for outside air to creep into your home, causing you to use more energy for heating and cooling. Air from the attic gets into your walls or comes directly into your home through the door or stairwell that you use to access the space. If you want to explore ways to save money on utility costs, the experts at Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can help.
Heat Loss in the Attic
The average Phoenix household loses approximately 25% of its heat through the attic space. During the winter, the warm air from inside your home rises into the attic space and escapes through small openings in the roof and walls. If your attic is not properly ventilated, this is another way that heat loss occurs. Attic insulation helps with both of these problems.
Does Attic Insulation Need to be Replaced?
Believe it or not, attic insulation is designed to last at least 100 years, but there are times when the material should be replaced. Beyond high utility costs, you should also replace your attic insulation when you have water damage from the roof. If your attic is not insulated, now is a great time to install new, energy-efficient insulation and to save money on your heating and cooling bills.
Does Attic Insulation Really Help with Energy Costs?
According to the US Department of Energy, the average household can save up to 50% on energy costs by properly insulating the attic space. Additionally, studies find that approximately 85% of heat loss occurs in the attic. Many homes in the Phoenix area do not have the right insulation for the southwest climate whereas others have insufficient insulation or old insulation. This is especially true for older homes that were constructed before the push for energy savings in residential structures.
- Slows Heat Flow
Heat loss is a problem that requires you to run your heating system for longer periods during the cooler months. Warm air naturally moves towards cooler areas. During the winter, this means that the warm air from your cozy interior space moves into the attic and eventually outside your home. During the summer, warm outdoor air enters the attic and flows into the cooler areas of your home, such as bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. Attic insulation works by slowing this process of conductive heat flow, and your HVAC system operates less to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. - Seals Gaps and Openings
Attic insulation installed by Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can seal gaps in your attic where outdoor air comes inside and where heated or cooled air escapes to the outside environment. If we do find openings during the inspection and installation, we use special products to form seals against the elements. Rolled insulation provides some protection against leaks. Spray insulation creates an airtight seal, and blown attic insulation provides some protection against openings and gaps. - Manages Proper R-Value
R-value is one of the indicators that let you know how well a material will insulate your attic and save energy. R-value tells you the thermal resistance of a specific attic insulation material, and higher values mean that you can save more money on heating and cooling. The US Department of Energy recommends specific R-values for each climate zone in the country, and Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can help you find the best option. We find a good balance between up-front costs and long-term energy savings that meet the needs of your household budget. - Eliminates Drafts and Uneven Temperatures
Did you know that poor insulation in your attic can cause cold spots inside your home? Cold spots due to attic insulation happen when the attic space was not properly insulated or when the insulation breaks down over time. Replacing the attic insulation keeps temperatures inside your home consistent, and you will not need to adjust the thermostat based on where you are in your home. Constant changes to the thermostat make your HVAC system work harder, and this increases your energy consumption. - Reduces HVAC Run Times
When you first change the temperature on your thermostat, your HVAC equipment runs for some time to reach the desired comfort level. If you do not change the thermostat setting, the system runs for shorter times periodically to maintain the temperature. When the attic of your Phoenix home is not properly insulated, cold air comes from the outside through the attic space and into the interior. This causes fluctuations in temperatures that must be corrected with your HVAC system. Rather than running for a short time to maintain a constant temperature, the heating and cooling system runs longer to compensate for the effects of air from the attic. As a result, you spend more on utilities than you would with proper attic insulation.
Best Attic Insulation for Energy Savings
Using the right type of attic insulation for your home and budget is important. You want to see a good return on your investment in energy savings and ensure that the product will last for many years. When it comes to attic insulation, choosing the cheapest option may not be the most cost-effective. Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can help you find a good balance between protection and up-front cost. We offer three types of attic insulation for Phoenix homes, and each is available in a variety of R-values:
- Affordable roll attic insulation that fits between rafters and studs
- Spray attic insulation that is considered the most energy efficient and that provides the tightest seal and tends to last the longest
- Blown attic insulation that offers moderate energy efficiency and that helps prevent water leaks into the space
Learn More About Energy Savings with Attic Insulation
Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical specialize in attic insulation for homes in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. To learn more about how you can save money on your heating and cooling bills, call us today. You can speak with one of our experts and schedule an appointment with an experienced technician. We come to your home and perform a thorough inspection of your attic space. Our recommendations include options that fit your budget while maximizing your energy savings.
Since 1976, Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical has provided homeowners in the Phoenix area with a full range of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. We offer installation, repair, and maintenance for both heating and cooling systems. Our commercial and residential plumbing services include emergency repairs, water heaters, sewer lines, drain cleaning, toilet repairs, trenchless sewers, tankless water heaters, hydro-jetting, finding water leaks, and water softeners, and filtration units, repairing leaks in your slab, and re-piping. We also provide excellent service for LED lighting, gas lines, dimmer lighting, panel box upgrades, surge protection, smoke detectors, outdoor lighting, and fuse box repairs. To learn more about our company and services, call us today.
