The dog days of summer will soon be replaced by fall’s cooler weather and stunning canvas. Fall is an ideal time to check these tasks, including ensuring adequate levels of fiberglass insulation in the attic, off your home maintenance checklist.
Inspect the Roof
Inspect the roof for any storm damage, abnormal wearing, or signs of aging. Do this from the ground by using binoculars, if necessary, and walking around the house’s perimeter. You should also check in the attic for light infiltration or damp fiberglass insulation. The latter may indicate a roof leak and insulation will need to be replaced by an experienced insulation contractor.
Clean the Gutters
The gutters, if your home has them, direct rainwater away from your foundation. Dead leaves, tree needles, and the flyaway Frisbee can impact water flow by causing a blockage should they build up over time. Water then can damage your roof, insulation, siding, and foundation. Scoop out the gunk and then rinse the gutters each fall and spring – more frequently if your landscape features a lot of trees.
Check for Air Leaks
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat gain or loss through windows accounts for between 25 and 30 percent of your heating and cooling energy use, and they are not the only thing costing you money.
Air leaks can also cause a spike in your heating and cooling costs.
Because the source of air leaks can be challenging to identify without the correct tools, consider having an energy audit done by a licensed insulation contractor. It is essential to seal air leaks and insulate to see savings.
Change Your Filters
Routinely replace the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. A good rule of thumb is to replace inexpensive filters every 30 days for maximum efficiency.
Now more than ever before, it is recommended to select high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which can go about 90 days before changing them is necessary.
A HEPA filter can effectively remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles such as dust, pet dander, and bacteria with a size of 0.3 microns. They can help improve indoor air quality and comfort. You can find replacement filters online or in stores.
Improve Fiberglass Insulation Levels
Another issue that may impact your energy efficiency is insufficient levels of fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass, whether loose fill or batts, provides good thermal performance at an attractive price point. It is also made of a significant amount of recycled content.
Uninsulated attics in valley homes should be insulated with an R-value – a measure of the material’s ability to resist heat transfers – between R30 and R60. Attics with existing insulation should meet a value between R25 to R38.
Banker Insulation is a full service insulation contractor with 18 valley locations to help Arizonans improve their residential or commercial property’s energy efficiency. Banker Insulation has been installing fiberglass insulation and other types of materials since 1977. Additional services include sound attenuation and energy audits. Schedule an appointment today by contacting one of our offices.
This blog has been updated from a 2018 post.