If you’re like most homeowners, you’re concerned with conserving energy and saving on your monthly utility bill. Utility usage goes through a cycle of ups and downs in a calendar year, depending on the season, and whether you are using energy for heating or cooling your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy at energy.gov, “Heating and cooling account for about 48% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes”. Luckily, they’ve also calculated that, by increasing the amount of insulation installed in their homes, a household could be able to reduce heating bills by 10% to 50%! Everyone wants to save money, and it feels good to save energy too.
So, why is insulation the magic fix? What makes it so instrumental in conserving energy and utilities? For starters, heat flows from the warm areas of our homes to the cooler areas. In warmer climates, for example, that would be heat coming in from the outside to a cool, air-conditioned inside. In cold weather, warm air inside your home can escape to the frigid, outside winter air. It is also a well known fact that heat rises- in a home, it rises to the attic. Attic insulation is critically important because it retains the heat rises and travels up through your home, helping to regulate the comfortable temperature that you have set on the thermostat. Without it, heat would travel up and escape right through your ceiling and out any leaks or gaps in your attic.
Attic insulation can give you a big return on energy savings, but only if it is undamaged and properly installed. How can you tell if your attic insulation is in good condition? Check for the following common signs of damage:
- Moisture or wetness
- Termites or other inspects
- Rodent nest or droppings
Insulation damage doesn’t just render your attic a weak spot for energy efficiency; some types of damage can become health hazards to you and your family. Attic spaces are commonly invaded and infested by rodents. The rodents will shred attic insulation to make a place to nest. Insulation is often contaminated with rodent droppings and urine that carry infectious diseases that can even become airborne! Learn more about the unseen health hazards that could be contaminating your insulation.
In the event that you do have signs of damaged or contaminated insulation, contact professionals to get started on removal and replacement asap! Time is of the essence because your health and your budget are in jeopardy. The Green Rat Control professionals are skilled in all elements of attic care services. If you have a rodent infestation they can eliminate it. They will remove damaged insulation, then sanitize and rodent-proof your attic space before installing new insulation.
Take back control of your home energy spending by investing in the best insulation. Knowing the status of current attic insulation is key to maintaining a safe, healthy and energy efficient home. Team up with Green Rat Control to assess your home today!
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