aUDITING the ATTIC AND BASEMENT INSULATION

Auditing the insulation levels installed in your attic or in your basement is important and can be easy or relatively easy. Since insulation is, typically, the single most important element in terms of home's energy efficiency and a key element to reduce energy bills, conducting an insulation inspection to your home to know the exact insulation levels installed in the attic or in the basement is particularly important.

Insufficient levels of insulation

Older homes typically incorporate insufficient amounts of insulation in their walls and basements, and sometimes also in their attics. The energy was cheap, and builders only installed the recommended levels (or less than them).

Auditing the attic and ceiling insulation

Inspecting the attic insulation is often a relatively easy task, involving a set of typical evaluations: attic hatch, attic floor, vapor barriers, openings and vents…

Attic floor

Once in the attic, check the attic floor insulation and its type (batt/roll, loose-fill insulation...) and materials. The entire attic floor should be carefully insulated to at least R-40 (a total of 14-6 inches/35-40 cm of loose-fill materials like fiberglass, cellulose or rockwool).

Vapor barriers

Vapor barriers – commonly shiny aluminum foils linked to plastic sheets – are common in many climates. They are closely related with the insulation materials, and are applied under them. Vapor barriers may reduce the amount of water vapor that passes through the ceiling - and by that way the damages the moisture can cause on the insulation and ceiling structures.

Openings

Check also whether openings for pipes, chimneys, ductwork or others are caulked, and seal eventual gaps with a good sealant (expanding foam caulk, for instance). The attic vents should not be blocked by insulation.

Attic hatch

Also check the attic hatch, namely if it is located above a conditioned space; see if it is properly insulated, check its frames and if it closes tightly. If not, fix the problem, using an expanding foam caulk or an equivalent sealant for eventual gaps.

Auditing basements

Basements can be a source of important energy losses, and a proper insulation is crucial in many cases. However, it should not performed without a proper exterior drainage and waterproofing, or without solving interior sources of moisture. See: Basement Basics.