If there is an age old question that is asked a lot in the insulation industry by customers it is this: how much attic insulation do I need? The answer is: it depends on where you live? The recommendations are based on a geographic region and it is largely up to the homeowner how much insulation (above the recommended) they want to use, the type of insulation they can choose, the age of the home (due to the products used to build the home), how old the roof is and how much a homeowner wants to save on energy bills.
In Kansas City the recommended amount of attic insulation is R38-R60. The higher R rating you use the less insulation you need to produce the same energy savings. The type of insulation you choose is also a factor. Using spray foam insulation will give a homeowner the best insulation coverage as foam insulation expands into the joints in the attic and provides a complete barrier for the attic. Foam is the most expensive option that a homeowner can choose but it also saves you the most on energy bills. Rolled fiberglass insulation is the most economical choice a homeowner can make when adding more attic insulation and spray fiberglass insulation is an option that is in the median cost range.
Murray Insulation also offers a combination of foam and spray insulation for coverage that is close to using foam alone with the cost savings of blown insulation!
Measure your insulation
If you have spray fiberglass insulation, take a yard stick and measure the depth of the insulation. If your R rating is less than 30, your insulation should measure 11 inches (fiberglass) or 8 inches (cellulous). If your attic has anything less than those measurements, your attic (and your checkbook) could benefit from added insulation.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Kansas City is supposed to be have an usually cold winter this season. If facts are correct (the Farmer’s Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate), we are in for a long, cold winter. October and November are excellent months to be adding insulation to your attic. Enjoy the cost savings that extra insulation gives you. Properly adding insulation to your attic, along with lowering your thermostat 1-2 degrees in the colder months, will go a long way toward saving money on heating your home this winter.
Murray Insulation has been in the business of adding insulation to existing homes (also called retrofitting) and working with local contractors to ensure that new homes are properly insulated since 2006! We are a local, family, woman-owned business. We are still in the insulation business because of our excellent reputation for quality work at fair prices. Call us today for a quote and save money this winter on your heating bills.
