insulation - ROI

Have about R43 (give or take) batt insulation in the attic. Just curious as to when adding more is not going to have a significant impact.

thanks richard

Reply to
a2rjh
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Measure ceiling temperature.if it's cooler than room temperature, add more. I think your well into maximum region. Concentrate on the walls.

Greg

Reply to
gregz

It will have an impact whenever you add it.

Reply to
harry

Probably depends on where you live.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

The OP should add about six inches of pink fiberglass, to the indoor surface of the exterior walls. Also, pack any window openings.

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Measure ceiling temperature.if it's cooler than room temperature, add more. I think your well into maximum region. Concentrate on the walls.

Greg

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Hi, Where do you live? Code where I live, it is R60 for the attic.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

Here's a chart:

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The government says you should strive for R60.

As to the dollar savings in going from R43 to R60, there are factors to consider:

  • Your location
  • What it will cost, depending on the type of additional insulation, vs. heating/cooling savings.
  • Is the attic the chief contributor? That is, what percentage effect do the doors, windows, and walls have?
Reply to
HeyBub

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My neighbor and I built our houses about 12 years ago. (Zone 7). The recommendation at the time was for R40. I put in R60, my neighbor put in R40. We both heat with electricity but he supplements with a wood stove using about 5 cords during the winter. I do not use anything other than the electric furnace.

My house is 1800 sq ft with very large triple-pane windows, his is

1400 sq ft with a mixture of dual and triple pane windows, all of average size.

We are both on the hydro monthly budget. He pays $180.00 per month. I pay $175.00. Yes $5.00 less than his.

I have a cathedral ceiling over half the house. That was the reason for going with more insulation than what was recommended. I put in as much as the space allowed with room for ventilation.

As far as I'm concerned putting in the extra insulation was worth it. Not just in heating bills, but in comfort. The house I'm in now is by far the most comfortable house I've ever spent any length of time in. How much would you be willing to add to your HVAC annual costs to say that?

Heating and A/C costs will not go down in our lifetimes. They keep raising the recommended R values as heating costs go up. Where will it end? Your guess is as good as mine. I can remember when R12 was the recommendation for attic insulation around here. When it was raised to R20 there were some who said you would never get your money back using that much insulation. R20 became R40 now its R60. No doubt they will say R80 in another ten years.

LdB

Reply to
LdB

yes better insulation is a good thing

but if the attic insulation is say R40 and the walls are say R20 and you have say $200 to invest in better insulation, you are MUCH better off using that $200 to improve the walls and not the attic.

You have to find the weakest link and improve that.

Mark

Reply to
Mark

north dallas. winter is usually not a big problem. summer is a whole lot other story.

summer cooling (humidity - not as bad as houston) is what i am trying to focus on

Reply to
a2rjh

If you have over 18 inches, more won't help enough to be noticed.

Reply to
clare

Not true. Heat rises. 3X the wall R value in the roof is about standard.

Reply to
clare

I would agree, but to shed heat from the roof, reflective material might be a benefit rather than more R, and attic ventilation.

Greg

Reply to
gregz

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