It’s very expensive to keep your house warm during the winter if you live in a predominantly cold climate region. Even the prices of oil and natural gas usually rise when the temperatures get lower.
Dialing down the thermostat or using warm clothes indoors can help you reduce your spending on energy. However, things like an unfinished attic or improper handyman services can affect your energy bills. These repairs are simple and you can do them over the weekend, and the savings will make you smile all the way to the bank.
With proper handyman in the attic, you may end up saving 10-50% on your heating expenses. There are some steps that you can take to keep your attic in good condition and maintain your heating and cooling spending at manageable levels. An energy auditor will also be able to tell you the level of protection you are getting from your handyman, and what you can do to make the most out of it.
Below are some tips that will help you with insulation products, preparation, and installation:
Don’t Use Your Attic For Storage
Most people do this but you should stop immediately. Adding material on the floor is a good way of insulating the attic. However, by storing stuff in the attic, there’s not enough house repairs, even during the warm season.
Choose The Insulation Material And Type Carefully
When it comes to DIY insulation, you can either batt or loose fill. These options can be used in uninsulated attics. Having settled on the ideal method, you can then look at the costs and how the materials will affect your budget. Make sure that you are careful on the specifics of the materials that you will purchase.
Loose Fill
These are insulation fibers that come in bags that are blown to the right density and depth with unique equipment. Once spread evenly, the insulation will be in place. It’s a labor-intensive process and the results are not always perfect.
However, this method is ideal for the following:
– Attics whose joist spacing is irregular
– Attics with low clearance and limited room
– Attics with topped insulation.
– Attics with a lot of penetration and obstruction
– A DIY enthusiast who needs the work done fast
Batts
This is a flexible form of insulation which comes packed in rolls of different widths and thicknesses. You can get them with or without a vapor barrier. By adding more layers, you will have the insulation level you desire.
This method is ideal for the following:
– Attics whose joist is regular
– Attics that have very few or no penetrations
– Attics with sufficient clearance or room
– A DIY enthusiast who pays attention to the fine details
Determine The R-Value For Your Attic
According to the Department of Energy, you need to know the recommended R-value for your attic in different regions. The R-value is usually determined by the climate and the location of your home.
The 3 minimum values are as follows:
– R-49 for cold areas
– R-38 for temperate areas
– R-30 for hot areas
Check For Credits And Rebates
By making your attic energy efficient, you can enjoy tax credits and rebates from your local authority. You can visit the nearest relevant local authority and learn more about the incentives available to residents for proper handyman contractors.