Does Attic Insulation Help in the Summer?

When it comes to our home’s energy efficiency, we think of all sorts of solutions. Most people think that brand new energy-efficient HVAC systems and new modern windows or window film are the keys to an energy-efficient home as those are inseparable and very significant components to an energy-efficient home. However, they are not the most important.

What makes a home the most energy efficient is its insulation. That includes not just insulation inside the walls. The biggest culprit in energy loss in most homes is ineffective attic insulation. As it is out of sight, for most people, it is out of mind to consider replacing attic insulation when revisiting a home’s energy efficiency.

Did you know that attic insulation performs essential functions for your home? It acts as a shield in hot summer weather and is like a blanket when temperatures drop in winter.

Attic Insulation

Everyone knows how vital attic insulation is for heat loss in winter. Attic insulation regulates the temperature in a home. It keeps the cold out during the winter months, but does it work the same in summer? The answer here is YES! In hot summer months, proper attic insulation will keep your cold air in and will keep warm air out. Quality attic insulation will help your HVAC system run at its peak efficiency, cutting the energy costs by as much as half in some homes. If your energy bills are higher than they used to be or higher than average, most likely the issue is in the attic.

Attic insulation suffers the most wear from people using their attic for storage, walking on it, crushing it with boxes. Different critters getting in and out of the attic looking for shelter will also breach the integrity of the insulation layer. Most homeowners do not realize that in older homes, some bathrooms vent directly into the attic, causing moisture damage to the insulation. Improper house ventilation, age, and quality of the insulation and other factors will often cause energy bills to increase. Older homes often have damaged or insufficient attic insulation without the owners’ knowledge.

Fluctuation Temperatures is a Sign of Poor Attic Insulation

Attic insulation is crucial to home’s energy efficiency both in winter and in summer when the temperatures peak, so it is very important to know the signs of poor attic insulation. Damaged insulation will allow hot air to leak into your home during summer, causing inadequate temperatures even with AC working overtime.

Fluctuating and erratic temperatures in your home could also be a sign of insufficient attic insulation. If one room seems colder or hotter than the rest of the house, do not rush to blame the south-facing window for the heat. Attic insulation above that particular area of the house may be extra worn out. Drastic temperature changes inside your home could cause your AC unit to struggle to keep the temperature down during the heat of the day only to barely catch up at night. When you keep the temperature steady and controlled, it is easier for the HVAC system to keep up. As your AC doesn’t have to work as hard, you will see dramatic effects on energy costs.