Weather and timing play a factor for homeowners considering replacing or upgrading insulation in the attic.
Homeowners with attic insulation problems begin to notice discomfort in their homes and increasing energy bills as seasonal temperature extremes exceed attic insulation capabilities. In northern regions, cold and drafty inside areas during winter months are a sure sign warmer air is leaking out and/or colder outside air is entering the living areas. Summertime in the sunbelt and dessert southwest is when most homeowners begin to notice rising indoor temperatures and A/C units running continuously. In either case, the result is higher monthly energy use and increased heating and cooling costs that being to push the comfort and monthly budget tolerances.
For homeowners experiencing these situations, attic insulation is the logical place for making a home energy improvement investment. It’s the easiest to evaluate without highly specialized equipment or skills in most cases. And it offers a relatively quick return on investment and noticeable improvement of indoor living environments. Adding or upgrading attic insulation is also one of the most common do-it-yourself (DIY) home energy improvement projects. Whether going the DIY route or hiring a professional contractor, timing plays an important factor.
As noted above, most homeowners are triggered into action when weather reaches extremes in winter or summer. These are also the worst seasons for attic insulation projects. In winter, attics in northern regions can be extremely cold and demand at its peak for hiring a professional installer. During summer months, even in northern climates but especially in the south, attic temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees making for very dangerous conditions for either professional installers or DIY homeowners. Demand during the extreme temperature months can also exceed availability of contractors, labor, material and equipment.
Spring or fall seasons are the best time to undertake an attic insulation project. This is when homes are typically most comfortable and when fewer homeowners think about making home energy improvements. So insulation contractors are more likely to be available and offer more competitive bids on attic insulation jobs. It’s also the safest time for DIY attic projects before temperatures get either too cold or worse too hot. Whether considering adding insulation batts or blowing cellulose insulation into the attic, the milder weather months are the best time to act.
CIMA offers a free Insulation Savings Calculator and many other helpful tips for assisting homeowners in evaluating their attic insulation and finding referrals for retail locations to purchase product or professional contractors experienced with installing cellulose.
