One of the most effective and affordable places to make your home more comfortable and efficient is probably hanging right over your head.
“Chalk it up to being out of sight and out of mind, but the attic is often overlooked when folks are planning energy-efficiency projects,” said Clark Public Utilities Energy Counselor Anthony Jeffries. “We think it’s one that should be near the top of a person’s list of projects.”
Attics are a crucial part of a home’s construction. They carry essential utilities like electrical, heating and plumbing. They hold the insulation that separates your living spaces from the outdoor elements. And the space between the ceiling and the roof affords proper air circulation beneath your roof.
When an attic is well-insulated, properly vented and fixtures are sealed tight, an attic gives a powerful boost to a home’s efficiency. When any of those are lacking the entire attic’s performance can suffer.
Homes built before 1990 are typically the best candidates for an attic improvement. They were constructed before residential building codes began to require greater energy efficiency from new homes.
It’s pretty easy to tell whether your attic needs attention. Just grab a flashlight and a ruler and head up there.
Start by looking for air leaks in the ceiling. Move the insulation away and look for gaps between the fixtures, HVAC systems and the sheetrock. Air leaks are a 24/7/365 sap on your energy bill. They allow heat to escape in winter or invade in summer. If there are gaps, make a note to close them.
If the ceiling joists are visible through the insulation, or the insulation measures six inches or less, then more is needed. Vaulted or cathedral ceilings are more difficult to assess and may have limited upgrade potential, but ask a professional for an opinion.
Attic insulation is your guard against nature’s will. A hearty layer traps conditioned air inside your home and reduces the amount of energy needed to keep your living space comfortable throughout the day. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other home improvement projects and can pay for itself pretty quickly, in terms of energy saved.
Exhaust fans should also be sealed and exit the home properly, never vented into the attic itself.
Proper ventilation is important. But attic fans, which are marketed as major improvements, aren’t usually necessary. Plus, if the attic isn’t sealed tight, the fan can suck air out of the home and blow it outside, which will lower the home’s energy efficiency. Adequate passive attic ventilation, good insulation and air sealing are enough to keep your home comfortable and attic healthy.
Attacking the attic seems like something the handy DIYer could do in an afternoon, but a pro will almost always do it better.
“They’re going to look at the attic as an entire system, not just a place for insulation,” Jeffries said. “It may cost more than doing it yourself, but the quality of the work will almost always be higher and that will mean more energy saved.”
When hiring a contractor, always get a few bids to compare expenses and reputations.
Clark Public Utilities customers who own electrically heated homes may qualify for significant incentives on professional insulation upgrades. Contact the Energy Counselor of the Day at 360-992-3355 during business hours, or visit clarkpublicutilities.com for more information.
For those determined to DIY, attic improvements can be done well with patience and close attention. Just take the time to research best practices and follow all instructions and safety precautions.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
