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Message
Adding Attic Insulation
Posted on 4/20/20 at 8:45 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 8:45 pm
Bought a house built around 2000 last year. One of the things I noticed is the attic insulation is very thin in some areas. I'm talking MAYBE 4-5" in some spots.
I researched this last fall but it kinda got put on the "do later" list. I want to get this done before summer really kicks in and causes my electric bill to balloon.
Questions are as follows:
1. Is the research I've done correct that max depth for attic insulation in S. Louisiana is 16“?
1a. Should I put the full max height?
2. Will it be much cheaper to do myself? How much (guesstimate)?
2a. If not, what would a company charge?
3. Is there a formula for how many (bales?) of insulation I'll need?
3a. What R value should I buy?
4. Any suggestions, tips or guidance?
I know attic space will vary, but if it helps, the house Sq. footage is around 2200.
Big thanks in advance.
I researched this last fall but it kinda got put on the "do later" list. I want to get this done before summer really kicks in and causes my electric bill to balloon.
Questions are as follows:
1. Is the research I've done correct that max depth for attic insulation in S. Louisiana is 16“?
1a. Should I put the full max height?
2. Will it be much cheaper to do myself? How much (guesstimate)?
2a. If not, what would a company charge?
3. Is there a formula for how many (bales?) of insulation I'll need?
3a. What R value should I buy?
4. Any suggestions, tips or guidance?
I know attic space will vary, but if it helps, the house Sq. footage is around 2200.
Big thanks in advance.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 8:59 pm
5
Posted on 4/20/20 at 9:05 pm to Bawcephus
I live in an old N.O. house that had no insulation in the attic and when I decided to insulate it I priced the rolls of insulation needed it was actually much cheaper to have a company come out and blow in insulation to a depth of around 12 inches into my attic.
This is not cellulose insulation but fiberglass pieces that were blown in the attic in one morning. Two guys showed up and 1 got in the attic with the large hose and 1 on the ground with the hopper he filled with the insulation that was blown in.
The only place the insulation is a bit compressed is where I've walked the joists to do stuff in my attic.
No way in hell I'd want to put rolls of insulation up in an attic, especially with summer approaching.
This is not cellulose insulation but fiberglass pieces that were blown in the attic in one morning. Two guys showed up and 1 got in the attic with the large hose and 1 on the ground with the hopper he filled with the insulation that was blown in.
The only place the insulation is a bit compressed is where I've walked the joists to do stuff in my attic.
No way in hell I'd want to put rolls of insulation up in an attic, especially with summer approaching.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 9:27 pm to Bawcephus
I bought insulation rolls from Home Depot 3 years ago and reinsulated my attic myself for ~$600. I just rolled it right on top of the old insulation and now it’s probably roughly 15” deep. Big difference in cooling bills. Last summer I had my AC recharged with freon and there was a huge difference in cooling bills.
I’d recommend doing both.
I’d recommend doing both.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 9:28 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 10:23 pm to TDsngumbo
I'll clarify, I'm looking at blowing in the loose insulation myself at the moment.
My understanding is if you buy enough, you can get the rental machine for free?
My understanding is if you buy enough, you can get the rental machine for free?
Posted on 4/21/20 at 12:18 am to Bawcephus
quote:
My understanding is if you buy enough, you can get the rental machine for free?
That's correct, or at least it was when I rented it from Home Depot in 2010 or so.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 7:15 am to Bawcephus
quote:
I'll clarify, I'm looking at blowing in the loose insulation myself at the moment. My understanding is if you buy enough, you can get the rental machine for free?
Yes, but having a crew come in will be cheaper. They buy the insulation at a very cheaper price. Call around and they will give you a quote. Another thing, you can get a tax credit. Same goes for up grading a HAV system.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 7:59 am to fishfighter
quote:
having a crew come in will be cheaper.
No way paying a crew to do this is cheaper than doing it yourself.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 9:39 am to Bawcephus
When we got our heater replaced in February I got the crew to blow in insulation at the same time. Their rate was $1 per square foot of the house. I am sure it would have been a lot cheaper to do it myself, but it was well worth it to pay somebody else to do it. Our roof is so low and the attic so cramped I would had to have army crawled around and would not have done a good job. It probably would have taken me 5 times as long as well. If we were still in our old house where I could easily walk around the entire attic I would have done it myself in a heartbeat.
I have a buddy who did blow in his own and bought the insulation from Home Depot and got the free blower rental. The employee there told him to buy enough insulation to qualify for the free rental and if he didn’t use all the insulation to just return what he did not use and they still would not charge for the rental.
I have a buddy who did blow in his own and bought the insulation from Home Depot and got the free blower rental. The employee there told him to buy enough insulation to qualify for the free rental and if he didn’t use all the insulation to just return what he did not use and they still would not charge for the rental.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 11:02 am to Bawcephus
there is not really a "max" limit for attic insulation. Feel free to blow as much as you want up there as long as you don't cover or block any vents. R-50 would be a good typical depth where I am but that is way north of you.
The recommended R-value for Zone 2 where you are is between R-30 and R-60. I would go all the way to R-60 if you are DIY. It won't cost much more and you'll have peace of mind.
The only other suggestion I can give is I am a bigger fan of blown cellulose than fiberglass. The cellulose is a bit heavier and will reduce infiltration better. It will settle and the R value will increase as it ages. It will also increase the performance of your existing insulation.
The recommended R-value for Zone 2 where you are is between R-30 and R-60. I would go all the way to R-60 if you are DIY. It won't cost much more and you'll have peace of mind.
The only other suggestion I can give is I am a bigger fan of blown cellulose than fiberglass. The cellulose is a bit heavier and will reduce infiltration better. It will settle and the R value will increase as it ages. It will also increase the performance of your existing insulation.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 11:03 am to Bawcephus
quote:
1. Is the research I've done correct that max depth for attic insulation in S. Louisiana is 16“?
1a. Should I put the full max height?
The recommended R Value is between R-30 and R-38. Using loose fill cellulose insulation, that's around 10 inches.
quote:
2. Will it be much cheaper to do myself? How much (guesstimate)?
2a. If not, what would a company charge?
Yes. Depends on a lot of factors but blow and go +$400. Doing the job right +$1200.
quote:
3. Is there a formula for how many (bales?) of insulation I'll need?
3a. What R value should I buy?
R-value = 38 – Existing R-value = Needed R-value
Measure the existing insulation. A conservative estimation is R-3/inch. Each package of blow in insulation has an estimated value of R-3.7/inch and a coverage area of 40 sq. ft.
Let's say your average insulation was 7 inches.
R-value needed = 38 – 21 = 17
Lowes and HD carry R-19 cellulose
Let's say 2,000 sq ft/40 = 50 packages should be more than enough to get you covered.
quote:
4. Any suggestions, tips or guidance?
Doing the job right requires more than blowing insulation in thin spots. I understand not wanting to pay $1,500 - $2,000 for professionals to do it. If you DIY it though, take the time to do the extra things like raking the existing insulation back and air sealing the envelope for thermal bypass leaks.
This means sealing recessed lighting, wiring or pipe holes, electrical boxes, and gaps around the top plates and gypsum board. Insulation doesn't prevent leaks into your attic. It just slows them down.
Check your duct work for leaks while you're up there. While I was up in my attic I found a penetration in the damn supply plenum, flapping around as if it were a vent.
Make sure you have your soffit vents protected so you're not blowing insulation into them and blocking air flow.
Lastly, PPE. You're going to be spending some decent time in your attic no matter the scope of the job you plan on doing. There's a lot more nasty stuff blowing around up there than just insulation so dress accordingly.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 1:31 pm to swamie
These are the answers I was looking for. Thank you for the guidance. Is this something you do for a living or just knowledgeable on the topic (not that I doubt any of what you said)?
Posted on 4/21/20 at 2:25 pm to Bawcephus
Just a DIY’er like yourself that goes in hard when I take on a project.
Spent a few nights downloading home energy and insulation information, watching YouTube, following experts on reddit, etc.
When I had my energy company come to the house for an energy audit, he said he couldn’t tell me anything I didn’t point out.
I have some of those PDFs saved. If I find the links, I’ll post them later.
Energy Efficient Homes in Louisiana
Quick Notes on Residential Energy Efficiency
Youtube Videos
The Importance of Air Sealing and Insulating Attics
Air Sealing and Insulating a Conventional Attic
Spent a few nights downloading home energy and insulation information, watching YouTube, following experts on reddit, etc.
When I had my energy company come to the house for an energy audit, he said he couldn’t tell me anything I didn’t point out.
I have some of those PDFs saved. If I find the links, I’ll post them later.
Energy Efficient Homes in Louisiana
Quick Notes on Residential Energy Efficiency
Youtube Videos
The Importance of Air Sealing and Insulating Attics
Air Sealing and Insulating a Conventional Attic
This post was edited on 4/21/20 at 3:32 pm
Posted on 4/21/20 at 7:20 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
No way paying a crew to do this is cheaper than doing it yourself.
BULL shite.
A&E in Port Allen did two jobs for me cheaper then I could buy the insulation. 
So piss off. 
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