I invite you to explore my YouTube channel, where you'll see first-hand how insulation looks in dark and mysterious attics, crawl spaces, and basements scattered across Maryland. Witness first-hand how we tackle the unique challenges found in these hidden spaces, and gain valuable knowledge on how to conquer your own house.
It is important to measure insulation through a slightly different lens. Rather than focusing on which insulation is better, it is more important to achieve the recommended R-value for specific areas of your home's shell.
There are two important things to familiarize yourself with as it relates to R-value.
1. The R-Value in "Lay" Terms
We measure insulation by its R-value.
Insulation has one job - to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation resists the transfer of heat.
Attic insulation can have a huge impact on your comfort, energy bill, and HVAC performance. A well-insulated attic can make an old heating and cooling system seem like new.
Attic insulation in Maryland homes is key to comfort each season.
Summer: Attic insulation keeps the hot attic air from getting inside.
Winter: Attic insulation prevents the warm inside air from escaping.
The attic is the most important place to insulate first. Other areas should also be treated such as basements, overhangs, and crawl spaces.
2. Maryland Insulation R-Value Chart
You can use this later to compare to what you currently have.
BOUNDARY LOCATION REQUIRED R-VALUE MARYLAND
Attic Flat
Ending R-value of 49 or as space allows
Attic Slope
Ending R-value of 38 or as space allows
Vertical Wall (basement, crawl space, knee wall)
Ending R-value of 11 or greater
Crawl Space Ceiling
Ending R-value of 25 or as space allows
Below Cantilever
Ending R-value of 25 or as space allows
Rim Joist (top of foundation wall in basement)
Ending R-value of 19 or greater
Determine what Type of Insulation You Have
Different attic insulation materials and levels yield wide-ranging R-values.
So, it is first important to determine the type of insulation that is in your attic.
Typical Insulation Materials Found in Maryland Attics
Fiberglass batts
Loose-fill fiberglass
Loose-fill cellulose
Mineral wool
Two-part spray foam
Identifying the Most Common Maryland Insulation Types
Cellulose Loose Fill
General Characteristics
Grey in color
More dusty and clingy than other materials
Has bits of newspaper in it
Good fire/mold retarder w/ additives
Rolled Fiberglass Batt Insulation
General Characteristics
Typically referred to as batt insulation
Has the kraft paper or aluminum foil on one side
Recognizable due to the "Pink Panther" commercials
Must be installed flawlessly (unforgiving)
Low R-value per inch if not installed properly
Fiberglass Loose Fill
General Characteristics
Typically white shreds, pink squares or yellow shreds
Much less dusty
Lower cold weather performance than cellulose
Determine Your Attic Insulation's Condition
The condition of the existing insulation in an attic is also important. Obtaining the information will assist in generating a reliable return on investment reporting. Current conditions can also reveal clues about future comfort gains.
R-value can be misleading if several factors are not met:
Your insulation should get a rating of "poor", "moderate" or "well" insulated.
Attic Insulation in Poor Condition
Insulation with large gaps and voids. Missing insulation greater than 2% of the insulated area.
Attic Insulation in Moderate Condition
Insulation with defects and gaps around wiring, electrical outlets, plumbing, and other intrusions. Rounded edges or "shouldered". The amount of fill is incomplete, but rarely dips less than 30% of the intended thickness. Gaps and spaces running clear through the insulation should be no more than 2% of the insulated area.
Well Insulated Attic Characteristics
The insulation has no large gaps or voids around obstructions. The insulation appears to fit in any cavity side-to-side and top-to-bottom. The insulation appears to be around wiring and other services in the area.
Different Insulation Types & Conditions = Different R-Values
The values for the corresponding condition of your attic insulation can be multiplied by the number of inches you have to see where your attic falls on the scale.
Loose Fill Cellulose New: 3.60 R-value per inch
Existing Well: 3.60
Existing Moderate: 3.13 R-value per inch (Example: 6" = R19; 10" = R31)
Existing Poor: 2.7 R-value per inch
Fiberglass Batt Insulation New: 3.14 R-value per inch
Existing Well: 2.67
Existing Moderate: 2.10 R-value per inch (Example: 6" = R13; 10" = R21)
Existing Poor: 1.26 R-value per Inch
Loose Fill Fiberglass New: 3.14 R-value per inch
Existing Well: 3.14
Existing Moderate: 2.73 R-value Per inch (Example: 6" = R16; 10" = R27)
Existing Poor: 2.36
How Much Does Insulation Cost in Maryland?
Watch a uniformly blown cellulose attic insulation job in progress!
Maryland Insulation Rebates
How the Insulation Program Works
Maryland Utilities (BGE & Pepco) offer a portfolio of programs promoting energy efficiency and conservation, including rebates, education, and services. The program is designed around a consultative approach.
Air sealing and insulation are considered the most important measures to complete to achieve energy efficiency - before windows, doors, and replacing older HVAC.
The initial qualifier for rebates is to get a home energy audit.
Why is the room on the front of the house colder? Do you have enough insulation? Why is it so stuffy upstairs during the summer? Should I remove old insulation from my attic? Why does my HVAC run all of the time? Is spray foam insulation the best solution for my home? Why are my new windows feeling drafty? Do my walls have insulation?
Wanna know more about the home energy audit process?
Un-insulated Areas Play a Heavy Hand in Poor R-Values
Now let's go a little deeper and explore the impact of un-insulated surfaces. It may surprise you how important having an even blanket of insulation is for getting a great result.
If you notice any area in your attic that does not have insulation then pay attention to the information below!
This typical Maryland attic is a great example of what the impact of missing insulation can have.
The attic area in the home pictured above is 975 square feet and flat (R-49 recommended in Maryland).
You will notice 1" of blown-in fiberglass insulation and 7" of rolled fiberglass batting laid on top.
In this scenario, the attic has roughly 8" of insulation in "most" of the areas that need it. Later you will learn how to use the depth to determine the R-value. In this case, the attic is R-17...
But, there is a catch!
There are two major un-insulated areas in this attic (very common in Maryland attics).
1. A three-foot by three-foot push up hatch
2. A three-foot by three-foot whole house fan
Equaling a total of 18 square feet of un-insulated area on the attic floor.
This equates to just about 2% of the attic area (18 divided by 975).
The hatch from the attic has a plywood cover (seen in the background)
Whole house fan is seen from the attic.
With the use of the HOME ENERGY SCORE CALCULATOR, we are able to calculate the impact un-insulated surfaces have on insulation performance.
The picture gets clear!
What ends up happening with this common scenario is not good. A mere 18 square feet of missing insulation has a big impact. The expected R-value reduces down from 17 to 13 for the entire attic!
That translates to hot summer nights and cold winter drafts and high energy bills to pay.
REASON:
According to Dr. Allison Bailes of Energy Vanguard, the heat flows through the bare areas fast. Based on his article, the air leaves in the un-insulated ceiling area are as much as 38 times faster than in the insulated areas.
Conclusion
Be sure to measure your attic insulation in a precise fashion. Different areas that have different levels should be separate. Each area will get an R-value assessment. Along with knowing the condition, this weighted average calculator can then help you determine your attic's R-value.
Written by Eric Gans, Building Analyst & Envelope Professional I'm a certified energy auditor and insulation contractor in Maryland. I have completed over 2000 energy audits, and I have taken over 2000 trips to an attic.
Maryland Home Insulation Guide
An under-insulated attic is the #1 reason for poor home comfort and high energy bills. Use this guide for Maryland home and attic insulation solutions.
Well Insulated Attic Characteristics
The insulation has no large gaps or voids around obstructions. It appears to fit in any cavity side-to-side and top-to-bottom and appears to be around wiring and other services in the area. 13-18"
Does that look or sound like your attic insulation? Not likely...ENERGY STAR says 9 out of 10 are under-insulated.
According to a recent Forbes Magazine article, there are approximately 124 million houses in the United States and roughly 20% are built before 1980. Older homes mean older, outdated methods of insulating that don't measure up to today's standards.
So where do you begin? This guide can help. It will answer many of the questions homeowners have about insulation.
If your home is older than ten years, then you are likely not meeting the 2023 Maryland home insulation building code. If you see insulation, it does not mean it is working for you.
You gotta know what to look for...
The State of Maryland recommends that our attics have enough insulation to equal R-49.
Existing insulation in a Maryland attic is inconsistent for a variety of reasons. Air sealing and insulation are essential for a tight, energy-efficient home.
Get a Whole-House Energy Assessment Start Your Journey
If you know you need insulation services in Maryland and you are looking for a logical next step, it might be a good time for an energy audit.
If you are not sure, I recommend exploring the resources below. You can learn more about the BGE and Pepco Programs. The $100 assessment can help you navigate to a more efficient home:
5 Signs You Need a Home Energy Audit -Homeowners can use these five signs around the house to determine if a home energy audit is worth the investment.
Attic insulation can significantly impact your comfort, energy bill, and HVAC performance. A well-insulated attic can make an old heating and cooling system seem like new.
Insulation will gain your respect on an extreme weather day! Attic insulation in Maryland homes is vital to comfort each season.
Summer: Insulation improves a home's defense against the heat in several ways. Check out these resources to help you keep cool when the heat rises up:
Controlling Hot Upper Floors -Learn about modern air sealing and insulation techniques in Maryland that can help you improve hot upper floors during the summer.
Reduce Indoor Humidity -Learn how to avoid blaming the wrong source and spending money on the wrong solution.
Winter: We place caps on our children's heads on a cold day to keep the heat from escaping and we need to do the same to our homes. Check out these great ways to change the trend and get a hold of always being cold:
Preventing Rapid Heat Loss -Attic air sealing is one of the most effective ways to improve home comfort and energy efficiency - learn the basics.
Improving Indoor Air Quality -Learn about the relationship between indoor air quality, air changes per hour, and energy efficiency for your home.
Get All Of Your Rooms Back! -Check out how this family strived toward a comfortable addition, but the effort fell short and it was unusable in cold months.
Insulation Guidance Tools
Tool # 1 The R-Value Calculator Use this helpful tool to determine your current attic R-value and get a feel for where your protective barrier stands against current recommendations.
You need to take two steps for this tool to work.
STEP 1: Get Your Attic's Current R-Value
Tasks Required
1. Determine the type of insulation you have in the attic now.
2. Determine your current insulation level in inches and note any areas (up to three) with major level variants.
3. Determine the condition of your current insulation.
STEP 2: Calculate Your Attic Area
Tasks Required
1. Measure the length and width from below for any attic area to calculate the square footage.
2. Note the exact square footage of any area with different insulation levels (up to three). Use a laser measure to make it easy!
Once completed, you will be much closer to knowing if you are up to the Maryland building code and ENERGY STAR.
If you are like most, chances are you do not want to visit your attic and dig around.
A better way to get your insulation checked is to get an energy audit.
Is Getting Home Attic Insulation Worth It?
The amount of insulation your attic needs will depend on how much is there now. Getting it right will ensure that you earn the best return on your investment (ROI) and meet the 2023 Maryland building codes.
This can be a little tricky. Calculations can be off if the information is not gathered right. The condition, coverage, and depth of the insulation are each important.
Take notice if you have any area in your attic that does not have insulation.
An issue can be as little as 18 square feet of uninsulated area in a 1000-square-foot attic. It reduces the R-value. Missing insulation will lead to comfort problems and high energy bills.
REASON:
According to Dr. Allison Bailes of Energy Vanguard, the heat flows through the bare areas fast. He says that warm air leaves in the un-insulated ceiling area 38 times faster than in the insulated areas.
It is essential to measure insulation through a different lens. Try not to focus on which insulation is better. Instead, please focus on the proper R-value, especially for the places where it is most important.
There are two things to know about R-value:
1. How to Measure R-Value
Insulation has one job - to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation resists heat transfer.
2. How R-Value Requirements Change
As your home's features twist and turn, insulation requirements change. R-values decrease in less critical areas.
The attic is the most important place to insulate first. Other areas should also get treatment, such as:
Basement Insulation (Video) -Properly sealing and insulating a basement in the right places can yield excellent results.
Overhangs/Cantilever Insulation (Video) -Properly insulating a cantilever in Maryland requires a contractor that is familiar with siding, insulation, and carpentry.
Crawl Space Encapsulation -Modern air sealing and insulation techniques can turn a dark crawl space into the reason your home is more comfortable.
Typical Insulation Materials Found Around Maryland Houses
Batt Insulation: Prevalent and, unfortunately, the worst performer.
How Much Does Insulation Cost?
Home Performance contractors look for insulation fixes in existing homes that will make the most impact for the lowest cost. Accessible areas are first priority and usually the most important. Investigation and testing play a role in helping to shape solution decisions. Taking this approach will factor in the overall cost.
Here are important considerations if you plan to insulate your home:
ENERGY STAR® says to look at the many systems around your home. Evaluating the "whole house" can lead to better comfort and efficiency. Their stats show that 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated.
Maryland Utilities (BGE & Pepco) offer a portfolio of programs promoting energy efficiency and conservation, including rebates, education, and services. The program is designed around a consultative approach.
Air sealing and insulation are considered the most critical measures to complete to achieve energy efficiency - before windows, doors, and replacing older HVAC. The initial qualifier for rebates is to get a home energy audit.
Why is the room on the front of the house colder? Do you have enough insulation? Why is it so stuffy upstairs during the summer? Should I remove old insulation from my attic? Why does my HVAC run all of the time? Is spray foam insulation the best solution for my home? Why are my new windows feeling drafty? Do my walls have insulation?
Learn much more about the programs designed to help YOU
2023 Complete BGE Energy Audit Guide -Get All YOUR questions answered with this comprehensive guide about all things related to a BGE home energy audit.
I am a student of Building Science. I'd like to help you assess how well the different parts of your home are working to see how likely you are to beat the Maryland summer heat.
Maryland homeowners turn to their HVAC contractors when the temperature inside heats up.
But, after HVAC people install the machine and controls, it stops there. They have very little to do with the comfort level in your home.
It's a good practice to focus on the shell around your home. A well-sealed and insulated shell can play a big part in properly controlling the climate inside your living space on a hot summer day.
You need to know:
What is the shell?
Where is the shell?
And, what condition is it in?
The good news is that often, the shell is easy to fix.
What is the Shell of Your Home?
It is where the inside touches the outside on the six sides of your building.
The location of your home's shell can vary. When you determine its location, you have to look for two things.
First, a pressure boundary or tight seal to stop airflow. Second, and more familiar to most, is the thermal boundary. The correct amount of insulation must exist to slow the transfer of heat.
The shell of a home is on six sides. Wherever your home touches the outside, you must protect it with a proper shell.
Never assume the location of your home's shell without a little investigative work. You can have two homes that are exactly the same and each might have a different shell configuration.
The big secret in Building Science is to address the shell where it is most important and easiest to access. This includes attics, crawl spaces, basements, and unfinished walls.
Don't be afraid to get an energy audit if you want someone to check it for you. An energy audit is a great way to have a professional assess your home's shell.
In this article, we'll explore the following topics:
The goal is to help you beat the Maryland summer heat and transform your home into a refreshing oasis.
Why are the Upper Floors So Hot?
As the weather heats up, I visit Maryland homes to perform energy assessments and the scenes are usually the same.
The houses I inspect have large openings to the outside. Sealant and insulation are missing. Sometimes it is in bad condition and installed wrong. The problems are quite common in Maryland homes, new and old.
Older Maryland homes have older construction concepts. As a result, large gaps and voids have gone unchecked for decades. New builds are often times insulated wrong because nobody knew any better.
A large unsealed pathway around the furnace chimney in a 1970s attic. Like an open window 24/7-365.
The fact is, attics and crawl spaces do not get the love they need. As a result, they will not be up to the challenge that awaits them. A hot Maryland summer can overcome the often weak defense systems I see.
Although the area of an attic is not traveled, it is a harsh environment. It needs upkeep and improvements. Building codes and techniques for insulating have changed. Especially in the last ten years.
But, don't sweat! It does not have to remain this way. There are many solutions available to Maryland homeowners. You can address these issues and cool down the upper floor of your home!
Anyone in Maryland can get an energy audit for $100. It is through the BGE and Pepco Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program.
Negative Effects of a Warm Home in Summer
A hot upstairs can be a real drag. When the upper floor is hot and uncomfortable, it can make it difficult to relax, sleep or even work. The constant discomfort and lack of proper rest can lead to increased irritability. It can affect one's stress level and quality of life.
Besides, a hot home can make it harder to enjoy indoor activities. Cooking, watching TV, or spending time with family and friends is too much.
Hot upper floors increase energy costs. Homeowners need to rely on air conditioning more to achieve a comfortable temperature.
If that is not bad enough, a hot upper floor can also affect the resale value of the home. If a buyer perceives the upper floor to be uncomfortable it can reduce the value of the property.
Misconceptions: Accepting Hot Upper Floors & Attic Fans
A common misunderstanding is that this is the way it is and there is nothing that can fix the problem.
So many Maryland homeowners accept this way of life. Some adapt to it by moving their bedrooms around the house during the different seasons. It is the only way they can maintain comfort and get the rest at night that they need to function.
Many I meet rely on decreasing the heat in the attic by adding ventilation. They are hopeful it will help with the situation inside the house. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. The attic will still get too hot and with weak defenses, heat will seep in.
You also have to be careful with attic fans installed on the roof or in a gable. You don't want to contribute to your problem. If the house is not sealed from the attic the pressure will draw your cool through existing holes.
Watch a demo of this in the video below.
A hot upper floor can have a negative impact on a homeowner's mental and emotional well-being. It can also reach into your finances and home value. Taking steps to address the root causes of the problem can enhance your quality of life. You can finally have a strategy to win!
What You Need Around the House to WIN! Summer
A hot upper floor in a Maryland home is a common recurring problem. It is due to our hot and humid summers combined with inadequate insulation defenses.
When working to keep your home cool in the summer, you have to check the different parts of the TEAM against summer.
Here are five members that are a big part of the winning strategy and each has to be at the top of their GAME!
Insulation - The most important is the attic. If not insulated, heat gains a direct path to your living space. It radiates into the attic and through the ceiling. This can result in a hot and uncomfortable upper floor. Energy bills are higher due to the increased use of air conditioning
Air sealing - There are gaps and cracks around your house. Examples include light fixtures, walls, vents, and ducts. If not sealed, they allow hot air to enter the upper floor, while cool air escapes. This can disrupt the temperature balance and make it harder to cool down the upper floor
HVAC duct leakage - If not sealed, it may struggle to cool down the upper floor.
Solar heat gains through windows - Maryland summers are sunny and hot. As a result, radiant heat will beam through windows. Allowing it will make it difficult to regulate the temperature inside.
Examples of the Problems that Lead to Hot Upper Floors
Insulation Problems
Many of the homes I visit that suffer the most in summer have missing insulation. Many also have raised, sloped ceilings which create vertical walls in the attic. Jammed insulation into a vertical space in a harsh environment is not good. Usually, with nothing holding it in place, it is less than effective.
It falls or sags, leaving large gaps in coverage that cause rapid heating on upper floors.
Missing insulation on a knee wall in a Maryland attic.
Shell Air Leakage
Excessive air leakage between the inside and the outside creates an uncomfortable home. A big problem in the summer is humidity. Sealing the house and reducing outside air infiltration helps to keep it dry inside. Dry inside air helps to maintain a more comfortable home on each floor.
HVAC Duct Leakage
If you have any HVAC ducts running through your attic or crawl space it is a good idea to get them assessed. According to ENERGY STAR data, as much as 20-30% of the air that moves through your duct system will get lost due to leaks. A duct assessment takes place during an energy audit.
In typical homes, 30 to 40 percent of the air that moves through ducts is lost due to leakage.
Importance of Proper Ventilation
Most exhaust fans in Maryland bathrooms turn on and make a lot of noise, but rarely do they work. Older models are awful at pulling out moisture after a shower. Fans that are working usually blow moisture into the attic. This contributes to the moisture content and makes it more difficult for the HVAC to keep up.
Close Window Shades & Blinds Solar gains through clear windows contribute to uncomfortable indoor temperatures. You don't need new windows with a special glass package to solve the problem.
Shades or a film should cover windows in the locations that get the most sun. Southern and western-facing windows are the most important.
Modern Air Sealing and Insulation Techniques
The best defense against heat is an insulation strategy. Oftentimes, insulation exists in some form. Inspectors and homeowners check the box, and sight unseen. Insulation is not the thing people dream about when it comes to home improvements.
Insulation’s job is to slow the transfer of heat. When the heat in the attic builds, weak insulation will fail. Guess where the heat will go? Yep, into your living space making things uncomfortable.
Before any attic gets more insulation, it must be air sealed. Air sealing the gaps, cracks, and crevices around the attic will ensure two things. First, the insulation can work to specification. Sealing will also keep the warm, humid air from being able to enter the upper floors.
Air Sealing Examples
Air sealing and insulating ducts around your home should be a priority. Sealing ducts that are outside is a fantastic opportunity. Doing so will help to send more cool air to the places you want it to go.
Often overlooked, the common bathroom exhaust fan has a huge role to play. Moisture lingers after showering if you allow it to do so. This will increase humidity and make it harder to cool the upper floor.
New high-performance bathroom exhaust fans are a game-changer. New fans move a large volume of air super fast. They are also quiet. Keeping the air dry inside your home during summer is a key to success.
Additional DIY Solutions
If you don't have a big budget at the moment, don't worry.
There are several other things you can do around your home to begin to get your upstairs back.
Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day, particularly in the rooms that get the most sun.
Air seal larger, easy-to-reach gaps and cracks around your basement and attic. Be sure to use foam sealant.
Use ceiling fans in the rooms you are occupying, turn them off in rooms, not in use.
Upgrade to a smart thermostat that can track your habits. It can help track movement around the house to improve comfort and efficiency.
Keep an annual HVAC maintenance schedule for a check-up to keep things working well.
Locate the seams, gaps, and cracks in your HVAC ducts. Check closest to the air handler and seal them with high-quality duct sealant.
Insulate and seal the attic hatch or pull-down stair leading to the attic.
Look at your filter slot cover at your inside air handler and check that it has a cover and seal.
Filter Slot Cover Example Video
Hot upper floors can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem. Maryland homeowners should know that better comfort is not insurmountable.
Drilling down to the root causes of the problem will help you enjoy a cool and comfortable living space. Poor insulation, air leaks, and an inefficient HVAC system are all priorities. Assessing these areas will give you the answers you need.
A great way to beat the Maryland heat is to get a comprehensive home energy audit.
A professional auditor can help you identify energy-saving opportunities. With energy savings comes comfort as well.
So don't wait - take action today and start your journey towards a cool and energy-efficient home.
A shameless plug! Get an energy audit today!
AI helped me with this blog post by taking my desire to produce an article that will help my fellow Marylanders create a cooler home for the summer and organize a framework with some context to convey my general message which is, with a little knowledge and investigative work, you can take a systematic approach to solving comfort issues and create a more efficient home.
You might say that a Colonial is the most common home you will see. Usually two stories, A-framed and rectangular, they are also fairly simple - on the outside.
Inside, they are complex structures with lots of different ways your conditioned air finds ways to escape.
Colonial style houses typically have good accessibility to the key places that need to be sealed and insulated so they are usually good candidates for measurable results.
The most important areas to insulate in Colonial style homes include the attic and foundation.
Sometimes homeowners think an energy audit is a critique of their energy habits, but it is not. Instead, you get a certified and trained pro that shows up ready to help you discover ways to tighten up your home. And, where to look is not always as obvious as it may seem.
As an example, a well performed energy audit can sort through the HVAC system to determine ways to improve efficiency.
Many of the biggest issues causing comfort problems are hiding in plain sight and an energy audit can illuminate them right before your eyes!
An energy audit will assess your insulation right on the spot and give you sound advice about how to improve the boundary between the inside of your home and the outside - which is the name of the game!
The Scenario: Classic Colonial with Addition
In this example, the homeowner was mainly concerned about a very cold house in the winter.
The rear addition was added around 2001. It opened up the kitchen and dining room quite nicely.
Insulation complexities can arise when new spaces are added to the existing structure.
The homeowner pointed out that the floors and cabinets were cold.
According to them, it was a let down. A lot of thought had gone into the design of the new space. Comfort was high on the list, but the plan missed the mark when it came to temperature control and they were seeking the cause and a fix.
How to Make Insulation Decisions for a Colonial Style Home
Understanding Stack Effect & How it Can Wreak Havoc with Comfort
Everyone should learn about the stack effect when ready to purchase a home.
Knowing where and how the air leaves and enters your home can play a big part in attaining better comfort.
The stack effect can be simply understood by taking one concept we all learn as young children: Hot Air Rises
Many of the places where this is happening you cannot see, but they do exist!
If left unchecked, warm air escapes and then physics kicks in!
+ Positive Pressure at the Top
- Negative Pressure Down Low
For every bit of warm air that leaves (positive pressure) it gets replaced (negative pressure) by cold air from the outside.
If you apply this basic concept to the different areas around your home, you may see signs that the problem is happening to you too.
In the diagrams above it gets a little clearer as to why this family was having an issue.
The rear addition included two cantilevers to add to the overall square footage. These features are sometimes susceptible to air leakage if not insulated right and can cause hot and cold spots around a home.
Watch how leaky this cantilever is during a whole house air leakage test (blower door test).
How we Seal and Insulate Cantilevers
Humid Basements - Tipping You Off to High Air Leakage
Basements can be major sources of energy loss by introducing warm humid air into the house in summer and cold dry air in the winter.
Sealing the air leakage around the top of the foundation wall in a Colonial style home is beneficial.
Sealing the Top (Attic) of a Colonial
With this powerful information about air movement, the first thing to do is look for ways to seal gaps at the TOP of your home.
Major sources of air leakage at the top of a typical Colonial style house include:
HVAC Chase
Chimneys
Recessed Lights
Tops of 2nd Floor Walls
Attic Access Points
Electrical Wiring Holes
An chase is a pathway behind walls that HVAC takes to get where it needs to go. These conduits are built into the home and should be somewhat inconspicuous. They house plumbing, ducts and chimneys. They are often responsible for a big temperature variance between floors.
Air is omni-present within the six sides of our buildings. Therefore, any open hole/gap at the attic floor (top floor ceiling) is a connection to the inside of your home.
Add pressure (stack effect) and air can escape really fast.
Don't be fooled anymore into thinking it is the windows that are causing your drafts and high energy bills.
Example of an Open Plumbing Chase (Bathroom Side)
Example of an Open Plumbing Chase (Attic Side)
The Importance of Properly Installed Insulation
There is a false sense of security many homeowners have about their insulation.
Many make the mistake of relying on seeing insulation in the normal places as a firm signal that their house is well-insulated.
Most often it is quite the opposite. Usually, insulation levels are severely insufficient and a lack of air sealing makes existing insulation R-values less than what is listed on the package.
Hot Second Floors During Summer Are a Tell-Tale Sign that Your Insulation is Weak
Hot summers were another reason this homeowner was fed up and decided to take the next step. On hot humid Maryland summer days, it was nearly impossible to cool the bedrooms down.
If this is happening to you, it is a sign that your insulation is not working well for you.
Most insulation has one job - slow the transfer of heat. With the sun beating on your roof, radiant heat surges into the attic. When left unchecked - guess where it goes?
Directly into your house!
The right amount of insulation is needed to improve the boundary and optimize your ability to slow the movement of the heat.
During the winter, the insulation will help to contain your warm air inside your living bubble. During the summer months, it will work to keep the warm air out.
Identifying Insulation Problems in the Attic
Take a look at the attic inspection from the same Colonial style home energy audit.
See first-hand how it had many gaps to seal and insulation was missing leading directly to the comfort problems this family faced.
Learn about the following at various points in the video:
0:00 Start the Attic Assessment
0:40 Discolored Insulation Meaning
2:28 Uninsulated Pair of Skylights in Attic
3:09 Bathroom is Connected to the Attic
5:53 Closer Look at Bathroom Exhaust Fan
7:02 A Close Up Look at an Attic Baffle
9:03 How We Air Seal an Attic
9:21 See a Properly Insulated Skylight
9:47 Attic Hatch Treatment Process
10:50 Cantilever Blocking & Insulation Photos
Knee Wall Complexities
Colonial style homes that were built in the late 80's and beyond sometimes feature sloped ceilings and multiple skylights. These raised areas of the ceiling create walls in the attic that need to be properly insulated. Often times, they are not.
Gravity takes over with vertical attic knee walls and insulation is often times pulling away or completely falling.
Knee walls are created when the bedroom or hallway ceiling raises up and an adjacent space has a traditional 8' flat ceiling.
When improperly insulated or as in some cases, not insulated at all, knee walls tend to lead to hot summers on upper floors of Colonial style houses.
Where Can You Begin When it Comes to Insulating Your Colonial Home?
A really great way to not get overwhelmed when it comes to improving insulation is to focus on the low hanging fruit.
When you seal and insulate in the right places, it can actually go a really long way towards better comfort and controlled energy bills.
Tightening up your Colonial style home is not an all or nothing type of approach, rather it can be methodical and targeted to yield the best results.
Our mission is to help Maryland homeowners create a more comfortable home and save energy. We achieve this by applying building science principles and modern air sealing and insulating techniques.
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An Energy Auditor's Purpose "Energy auditors visit residential buildings and talk to owners and residents. They inspect, test, and measure to decide what energy-efficient retrofits are practical and cost-effective." Residential Energy
