Your attic is where most heat escapes in winter and where heat builds up in summer. If the insulation is old, thin or damaged, you pay for it every month. Watch for these seven signs.
1. Rising Energy Bills
If heating and cooling costs keep climbing without a change in habits, heat may be escaping through the attic.
2. Uneven Temperatures
Rooms that are too cold in winter or too hot in summer, especially on upper floors, often point to poor attic insulation.
3. Ice Dams on the Roof
Ice dams form when warm air from the house melts snow on the roof, which then refreezes at the edges. They are common in Massachusetts and are a classic sign of heat loss through the attic.
4. Drafts and Air Leaks
Drafts around ceiling fixtures, attic hatches or top-floor walls mean air is moving freely between the house and the attic.
5. Insulation Below the Floor Joists
If you can see the attic floor joists, you likely have far less than the R-49 to R-60 that ENERGY STAR recommends for Massachusetts.
6. Damp, Compressed or Damaged Insulation
Insulation that is wet, matted down or damaged by pests loses much of its effectiveness and can lead to mold.
7. Your Home Is Over 20 Years Old
Older homes were built to lower standards, and insulation settles and degrades over time.
What to Do Next
A professional inspection identifies exactly where your home is losing energy. Depending on the attic, the solution may be blown-in fiberglass, spray foam, rockwool or a combination, along with air sealing.
Greensource Insulation serves homeowners in Lowell and across Massachusetts. Request a free estimate or call (617) 388-7649.