A well-insulated attic offers your best defense against keeping both cold air and warm air from escaping your home. Predictions of a colder and snowier winter have been floating around lately, so while you may have scraped by okay this summer with less than extreme temperatures (but we love seeing blue sky instead of smoke, right?!); the coldest months are creeping up on us and we want you to be prepared! You are not a penguin, please stay warm this winter.

Noticing higher than normal energy bills, inconsistent temperatures in the house, or less than desirable air quality, can be strong clues that your attic is an unhappy one and may require a fresh attic insulation installation.

High Energy Bill:

The Department of Energy estimates that a properly insulated attic can shave 10 to 50 percent off your heating bill. And it works the opposite way for warm climates; in summer, it helps stabilize your house’s indoor temps to keep cooling needs in check. An estimated 90% of homeowners in North America are paying too much to heat and cool their homes, due to lack of insulation. The new government initiative, cleanBC currently has home energy rebates available, so now is a great time to re-insulate your home! You could receive up to $900 back for topping your insulation up to code! Click HERE to find out what sorts of insulation rebates your home qualifies for.

Changing Temperatures:

Perhaps the most commonly reported symptom of inadequate attic insulation is the loss of heat (in the winter) or cold (in the summer) from your home. If you are noticing that certain areas of your home are consistently different in temperature, then there is a good chance there is an insulation issue somewhere that is allowing heat to escape. Poor, uneven insulation then results in your heating/cooling system running on overdrive in an attempt to keep your home at it’s set temperature.

Moisture City!

Attics are extremely prone to moisture-related issues. Attic insulation can become worn out over time, leaving cracks or holes that can be easy access points for moisture to enter in. Rising heat through worn-out insulation can also cause increased snowmelt on your roof which is a HUGE red flag for ice dams. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. This water can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, you name it! Damage like this can be pricey to fix, and the result is wet insulation – which is even worse at preserving heat.

Increased Mould & Allergens

Another risk factor with a damp attic is the growth of mold and mildew. Having mold or mildew in the attic can be hazardous to your family’s health, as these substances can affect the air quality in your home. So consider that no matter what, a properly built home will allow air free passage into your home through the soffits. It is estimated that at least 40% of the oxygen you breathe in your home passes through the attic, making it critical that there are no toxic substances in the attic which could be inhaled. Up to code insulation is helpful in keeping those pesky environmental allergens outside your home, where they belong!

Breathing clean air, saving money, and keeping warm this winter, are all compelling reasons to find out what’s going on in your attic.  For peace of mind, pick up your phone and call us for an attic inspection! In the meantime, you can download our handy dandy infographic for some telltale signs that it’s time to upgrade your insulation!

Request a Consult with an Assured Specialist Today!