How Much Insulation Is Required In Attic

The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60.

How much insulation is required in attic.

Having enough insulation in your attic is one of the best ways to save energy on both heating and cooling your home. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. The higher the r value the better job the insulation does at preventing the transfer of heat.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. How much insulation do i need in my attic. To determine the present r value of your attic insulation have an energy assessment. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your.

Increasing attic insulation to an r 50 can provide a good barrier to heat loss. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. In zone 5 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 11 inches of r38 fill.

You can also measure the height of the insulation and multiply times the r value per inch of the ma terial that is in place 2 5 to 4 0 per inch on average. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. How well a particular insulation works is expressed by the r value which ranges from 2 0 to 8 0 per inch of insulation. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. In zone 6 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 14 inches of r49 fill. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs. The insulation levels of an attic or of any part of a house are understood through the r value that is the value with which the insulating material is resistant to heat flow. How much insulation in attic for zones 5 7.

Insulation level are specified by r value. For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. In general to optimally isolate an attic on average an r value of the insulation is required ranging from r 50 to r 60. The thicker the better.

It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic.