Since it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to forget your attic, and easy to forget the insulation up there.  But attic insulation is far more important than you might realize.  Minneapolis insulation contractor impacts the quality of air in your home, as well as the amount you’ll pay in energy bills each month to keep your house warm (or cool).  Even though you don’t see it most days, you should consider your attic’s insulation to be one of the most important components of your home’s heating and cooling systems.

Consider your roof as a massive leaker of energy from your home.  Your attic is a barrier that stops the leaking.  There’s the insulation itself, that holds in heat, important during the colder months.  Then, there are attic ventilation systems, which relieve the attic of a massive heat load, especially during the summer months.

The good news is that properly installed insulation and attic ventilation systems can easily pay for themselves in the savings of energy costs throughout the year.

Most attic insulation is made of one of two materials:

Fiberglass.  This insulation is easy to spot by its cotton candy-like appearance.  Fiberglass is a tried-and-true insulation method that offers good ventilation.

Cellulose.  Cellulose has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years because it is environmentally friendly.  Minneapolis insulation contractor is made from recycled newspapers, and so it is a “green” product that is good for the environment.  Cellulose also has fire-retardant and insect repellant qualities that make it very attractive to homeowners.

How do you know which insulation to choose?  Insulation contractors will frequently throw out the term “R-Value” when they are considering more insulation for your home.  But what does this mean?

R-Value indicates an insulation’s “resistance to heat flow.”  If there is a higher R-value, the insulation resists more heat, and prevents more heat from moving in (or out) of your home, disrupting the comfortable temperature you’re trying to maintain inside.

The type of insulation you use, as well as its thickness and density, can affect its R-value.  That’s why it’s important to get a professional evaluation of how much – or how much more – insulation you need.  Just climbing up to your attic and looking around won’t tell you whether you’re being energy efficient.

Thankfully, Stinson Services can provide you with a free consultation of your home to estimate your insulation needs.  Our track record of no Better Business Bureau complaints means that we are a company who cares about the quality of our work and the satisfaction of our customers.  We will give you an honest appraisal of your home’s energy efficiency needs.  If you need more insulation, our trained professionals will counsel you on the right type of insulation for your home.  The savings you’ll see in your monthly energy bills make this investment well worth it.  You may even be eligible for valuable tax credits when you put in new insulation, and we’ll help you make sure you get the refund you deserve!