Does Your Home Have Enough Attic Insulation?

Attic Insulation Installation Tulsa

When it comes to improving your home's efficiency, don't forget about the attic. Experts calculate that leaks in the attic floor can drain away 30 to 50 percent of your heating or cooling.Heat rises upward and migrates through cracks into the unconditioned attic space, eventually escaping through the roof or vents. In the summer, a hot attic and uninsulated attic floor can make it more difficult for you to cool your home, as heat moves through conductivity into the living space.What's the solution? In most cases, more attic insulation will do the trick.

Adding Insulation

Start your attic sealing project by identifying the various areas where energy is being lost. Lay wooden planks across joists to walk on before you start moving around.

1. Check for gaps around fixtures, pipes, wires, ducts and anything else that enters the attic space from the living space. Roll back existing insulation batts to get at all the holes; if you have loose-fill insulation, it might be better to get a professional to locate the leaks. Fix all the smaller leaks you find with caulk. For holes up to an inch wide, use expanding urethane foam. For still larger holes, use a piece of drywall to plug it, sealing edges with foam. You can also use fiberglass insulation.

2. Seal gaps around stove flues and chimneys with a sheet metal collar and heat-resistant caulk, separating these structures from insulation.

3. Put extra insulation on top of the attic hatch door. Place weather stripping around the edges of the hatch.

4. Next, check to see if the insulation on your attic floor reaches the top of the joists. If not, add more to the top or over the joists. Make sure it is evenly distributed, and reaches the sides of the attic.

5. Insulate behind knee walls.

6. Build airtight boxes with rigid foam insulation to cover recessed lighting canisters. Get professional advice about how any insulation you are considering might overheat when used in proximity to the lighting canisters.

To learn more about attic insulation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about attic insulation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “travellight/Shutterstock”

Proper Attic Insulation Can Save Money and Energy this Season

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Good attic insulation is one of the easiest ways to keep Broken Arrow's freezing winters from stealing your comfort. By reducing the load on your furnace, insulation also helps hold down your heating bills.

The Importance of Attic Insulation

The warm air from your furnace naturally rises toward your ceiling. Without sufficient air sealing and insulation in the attic, that warmth will flow into the attic and then through the roof. This not only wastes heat, it also contributes to moisture and mold issues in the attic and ice dams that could damage your roof. To keep your home warm and free from damage, your attic should have at least an R-38 layer of insulation, which requires around 12 inches of fiberglass batts. For even greater energy efficiency, add more insulation to achieve an R-60 layer.

Choosing the Right Insulation

Insulation is available in two forms and a number of different materials. Every type of insulation has pros and cons, so review your options before you decide how to improve your attic insulation. Your options include:

Batt insulation — These strips are cut to fit between floor and wall joints, making them easy for a non-professional to lay into place. Batts are produced in fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, plastic fiber, cotton, and sheep's wool, among other materials. Fiberglass and cellulose are the most efficient of these, but mineral wool helps more with noise reduction.

Loose-fill (blown-in) insulation — Produced as small pieces of material designed to be installed using a blower machine, loose-fill insulation fills in small corners better than batts, so it insulates more efficiently. On the downside, you'll need to rent a blower machine or hire a professional for insulation.

Rigid foam — These stiff boards of polystyrene or other foam can be set into place without special equipment. While they're highly efficient and moisture resistant, the higher cost compared to batts or loose-fill makes them less popular for use in attics.

If you could use professional help to improve your attic insulation, contact us at Air Assurance in the Broken Arrow area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “irin k/Shutterstock”

Here's How to Check Insulation Levels in Your Home

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If you'd like to lower your energy bills and improve your home comfort, addressing sources of air leakage and areas with inadequate insulation can help. Checking two key areas where these problems often occur can help you decide if it's time to hire a professional to boost the insulation level and seal up air leaks.

Up in the Attic

For home attics in our region, the Department of Energy (DOE) advises insulating the floor to R-60, and correcting air leaks to reduce heat transfer with the living areas below. You can perform a couple of easy checks to assess these issues:

• When it's dark out, turn on the lights in the rooms below the attic. Go up there, close the hatch and take a thorough look around the floor to locate any leak sources where light bleeds through from below.

• To judge the insulation level, turn on your attic lights and look around again. If you see the tops of the floor joists in any spot, there's not enough insulation. If the joists are well-hidden, you likely have a sufficient amount installed.

You can fix areas of energy waste and increase the efficiency of your home by sealing the attic, installing a vapor barrier on the floor, and increasing insulation to the recommended level.

Your Exterior Walls

According to the DOE, your exterior wall cavities should have R-19 in insulation installed, and you should seal leaks in the exterior shell by weatherstripping and using caulk and expandable foam insulation. To assess these areas:

• Take off the electrical box covers on the exterior walls, then shut their breakers off. Using a flashlight, look inside each box for signs of insulation. If none is visible, your walls probably need insulation.

• At night, shut off all the interior lights in your home, then walk around shining a flashlight at the exterior walls. Get a helper to follow you outdoors to identify any spots where leaks let the light shine through from inside.

Contact us at Air Assurance for more advice about increasing the insulation level and sealing leaks in your Broken Arrow home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “john-kasawa/Shutterstock”

How Can You Eco Upgrade Your Home?

If you're like most homeowners, you make upgrades around your house from time to time. If you're concerned about your environmental impact, you'll need to make upgrades that save energy, conserve water, and improve your home's efficiency. Here are some simple eco upgrade ideas that will make your home greener.

Get an Energy Audit

An energy audit helps you identify the home upgrades that will increase your energy efficiency the most. The auditor will carry out a blower door test and thermographic scanning to determine how airtight your home is and where you're losing energy. Making the improvements that the auditor suggests can yield significant energy savings.

Upgrade Your Window Treatments

Did you know that heat and cold air could creep into your home even when your windows are closed? Upgrade your blinds and curtains to better maintain your indoor temperature, prevent your HVAC system from working harder, and make your house more eco-friendly.

Install Attic Insulation

Proper insulation is an excellent way to improve energy efficiency. The attic is the best place to start because a lot of heat loss and gain occur through that part of your house. Loose-fill and batt insulation are good options. Add more insulation if your existing attic insulation is less than R-30 (8 inches of cellulose or 11 inches of rockwool or fiberglass).

Get a Rainwater Barrel

Mother Nature gives you lots of water every year. Put it into good use by harvesting rainwater and then watering your lawn and garden with it. Buy a rainwater barrel and leave it outside when rain has been forecast.

Invest in a Low-Flow Showerhead

The flow rate of showerheads made in 1992 or earlier could be 5.5 gallons per minute. You can reduce your water usage by investing in newer, low-flow models, which can cut down the flow rate to 2.5 gallons or less per minute.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Make your house more environmentally friendly by using a programmable thermostat to control your heating and cooling system. It helps lower your utility bills.

These eco upgrades help you save money and the planet at the same time. If you want to make HVAC or plumbing upgrades in the Broken Arrow area, contact the award-winning experts at Air Assurance.

Attic Cleaning As It Relates to Strong HVAC Performance

Unless you use your attic as a guest room, office, or playroom, it's usually one of those out of sight, out of mind parts of the house. But that shouldn't be the case. A clean attic is essential to the optimal functioning of your HVAC system. Here are some of the ways that the condition of your attic affects your HVAC system.

Insulation

The attic is one of those areas of a home where a lot of energy is lost. Attic insulation adds a buffer that limits the temperature fluctuations in your home. It allows your HVAC system to regulate the internal temperature and keep it at a comfortable level with less effort.

If you don't clean your attic regularly, you won't know when your insulation is damaged. Damaged attic insulation won't offer a useful barrier to heat transfer. As a result, your HVAC system will work harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Additionally, pests like rodents are likely to find a home in an attic that's hasn't been attended to. These critters eat away at your insulation. Cleaning and sanitizing your attic thoroughly will prevent pests from becoming comfortable in your attic.

Cracks and Holes

Your attic will experience wear and tear over time. It may develop cracks and holes that may not only let animals in but also leak cool air or heat, making your HVAC system work inefficiently and contributing to higher energy bills. Cleaning the attic will help you know the areas where air might be leaking, so you can take the necessary measures to seal them — by having a clean attic.

Air Quality

If you have a dirty attic, a leak in your ductwork will make your HVAC system suck the dust, insect excrement, and other allergens into the attic. The system will blow these allergens throughout your house. That will make your items dusty in addition to aggravating allergies and respiratory issues.

Having a clean attic will improve the performance of your HVAC system and your home's overall health. For high-quality heating and cooling products and services, as well as advice on how to consistently maintain a clean attic, contact Air Assurance, an HVAC leader in Broken Arrow.

Tips To Manage Home Heating Load

If you're heard the phrase “heating load” but you're not sure what it means, it's simply the amount of energy consumed by your heat pump or furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. If you'd like to save energy and reduce your utility bills, you can use these tips to better manage your home heating load:

Seal Air Leakage Sources

Heated air losses make your heating system work harder and waste energy. To curb these losses, use weatherstripping, expandable foam and caulk to seal gaps and leaks around your exterior doors, windows, and where wiring, pipes and vents penetrate the exterior shell. Seal spots where air leakage occurs between the attic and your finished living areas and the access hatch too, and have your accessible HVAC ducting runs sealed and insulated as well.

Maintain Your Heating Equipment

Well-maintained equipment consumes less energy, so get yours professionally serviced every year. To keep your equipment running efficiently throughout the heating season, check the system's air filter once a month, and put in a fresh one when you see any dirt accumulation.

Install Sufficient Attic Insulation

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you should have a total of R-30 to R-49 installed between your attic floor joists to limit energy losses that add to your heating load. When you're insulating the attic, don't forget to do the access hatch too.

Keep Heating Vents Open and Unobstructed

When some vents are closed or blocked, it puts extra strain on your heating equipment and increases its energy consumption. You can avoid this by keeping your vent louvers open and checking periodically that they're unobstructed by household items like furniture, rugs or long window treatments.

Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

If you still have an older manual or digital thermostat, install a programmable model that allows you to automate energy-saving temperature setbacks. Ideally, these should be daily eight-hour periods, such as when everyone's away all day, or at night when your family is sleeping.

For personalized advice about managing your home heating load, contact the Broken Arrow HVAC pros at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating loads and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Are Your Recessed Lights Affecting Your HVAC Efficiency?

Recessed lights offer a modern and unobtrusive style, while providing light practically anywhere in your home. However, there are drawbacks to recessed lighting fixtures — air leaks and heat gain/loss between your attic and living spaces. Energy losses make your HVAC system work harder and use more energy. Following are some tips to give your HVAC system more recess time and less work.

Types of Recessed Lighting

When you install recessed lighting fixtures, you are basically cutting a hole in your home's ceiling that compromises the insulation barrier. Energy losses can be minimized or exacerbated, depending on the rating of your recessed lights, air tightness and insulation factors.

• Insulation Contact (IC): You need to know if your recessed lighting fixtures are rated "IC" for Insulation Contact. Fixtures with the IC designation may come into contact with attic insulation without the risk of fire.

• Non-IC rated: If you have non-IC fixtures installed, attic insulation should be no less than 3 inches away from the top and sides of the recessed lighting fixtures.

• Airtight fixtures: Airtight recessed lighting fixtures use gaskets to create a seal between the fixture and ceiling. Fixtures designated as airtight will be marked with "ASTM E283" on the canister.

Sealing and Insulating Recessed Lights

Take a look at all of your recessed lighting fixtures to see if you spot the IC and ASTM E283 ratings. If you do, then you don't have to worry about sealing air leaks. Even more, you can pile insulation up to and on top of the light canisters: HVAC energy losses solved.If your fixtures aren't rated airtight and insulation safe, perform efficiency upgrades to keep conditioned air out of your attic and attic air out of your living spaces. One of the most practical solutions is installing air-tight insulation boxes over the top of your recessed lights. Browse your home store or talk to your HVAC professional about your best options.

If you adore your recessed lights but abhor wasting energy in your Broken Arrow home, contact Air Assurance to audit your home efficiency and find the best solutions to promote energy savings.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about recessed lights and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Remedy Heat Loss in Your Home

Heat loss in your home can put unnecessary strain on your heating system and cause your heating bills to skyrocket. Therefore, as you look for ways to make your home comfortable during the cooler months, don't forget these simple ways to prevent your home from losing heat.

Insulate Your Attic

Your home can lose a significant amount of heat through the attic because hot air tends to rise. Insulating the attic helps trap your home's heated air. Inspect your attic and evaluate the quality, amount and condition of its insulation. Replace the insulation if it is moldy or mildewed. Ensure the attic floor has the recommended amount of insulation. An HVAC contractor can help you evaluate the quality and quantity of your current attic insulation.

Seal Attic Air Leaks

You should also survey the attic for air leaks. Typically, air leaks occur around attic hatches, stairs, stairwells, fans, ceiling junction boxes and holes that accommodate ductwork, pipes and vents. Seal these leaks with caulk, weatherstripping or foam spray.

Caulk Ceiling Trouble Spots

Your home can lose heat through ceiling fixtures and wall-ceiling junctures. Make sure you caulk any gaps and cracks in these trouble spots.

Get Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows are major sources of heat loss. If you have single-pane windows, consider adding storm panels to reduce the amount of heat lost through them. Alternatively, replace them with energy-efficient double-pane windows.

Seal Up Window and Door Frames

Interior heat can escape your home through gaps found on your window and door frames. Check for gaps between exterior frames and your home's siding. Check the condition of the weatherstripping around all your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk. Replace any damaged weatherstripping.

Seal Electrical Outlets

Heat loss can also occur through electrical outlets. Install pre-sized foam gaskets behind them to prevent that.

By preventing your house from losing heat, you'll maximize the efficiency of your heating system and save money. For more information on heat loss, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve the Broken Arrow area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).Credit/Copyright Attribution: “tassel78/Shutterstock”

How to Perform Quality Home Maintenance this Fall

With winter just around the corner, there's no time like the present to complete some important fall home maintenance tasks in addition to essential fall HVAC maintenance. Get your home ready for winter by doing the following:

• Inspect the outer perimeter of your home for holes and gaps in the walls and foundation. Air leaks typically can be found around window and door frames, at spots where utility wires, vents and pipes penetrate walls, and at the intersection of foundation, sill plates and walls. Use caulk to seal smaller gaps and cracks and use expanding spray foam for larger leaks.

• Inspect the interior of your home for air leaks. Take a lit incense stick and walk along the inside of the home's outer envelope. If the smoke wavers, you've found an air leak. Use weatherstripping, caulk or spray foam to seal leaks, depending on their size and location.

• Check attic insulation to make sure there's enough to block heat movement between the outside and the attic, and between the attic and the living spaces below. The insulation should rise to the top of the floor joists. Also, seal the attic hatch or door to prevent air movement.

• Install storm windows and doors, and remove screens, if your home is the type that allows you to do so.

• Check your roof for loose or missing shingles and replace them. Winter can be very hard on your roof, especially if it already has weak spots. Ideally, get a professional roofing contractor to perform a comprehensive inspection.

• Clear leaves out of the gutters. This should be done periodically during the fall if you have overhanging trees, and then a final time before winter arrives. If the gutters can drain rainwater and melted snow efficiently, you'll have less chance of ice dams developing and foundation, wall or roof damage from clogged gutters.

• Inspect carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for proper operation and fresh batteries. This could be a life-saving fall home maintenance step.

For more fall home maintenance tips for your Broken Arrow area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).Credit/Copyright Attribution: “iQoncept/Shutterstock”