Preparing Your Attic for Colder Temperatures

Energy costs make up a huge percentage of most household budgets—and those costs only rise when temperatures plunge and furnaces start kicking on.

But you don’t have to sit back and watch your energy bill skyrocket. Preparing your attic space for cold air now is a great way to keep your heating costs down during those crisp winter months.

Keep reading for handy tips and tricks for preparing your attic for whatever weather winter has in store, from the cold climate to polar plunges and everything in between.

#1 Check Your Roof

Your roof can get cluttered with all kinds of natural debris, but you shouldn’t let it sit there for too long.

When leaves, twigs, branches, or pine needles pile up, they can trap water or other moisture on your roof that can cause thermal leaks in your attic.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you can clear this debris away on your own. Otherwise, enlist the help of a professional.

#2 Fill Cracks

Cracks and holes in your attic can be a big problem, no matter their size. Warm air escapes through them and your furnace has to work overtime to compensate, sending your energy bill through the roof (pun intended).

Wondering how to find and seal cracks?

Wait until a bright, sunny day. Then, look for places where sunlight is shining in from outside.
If there’s sunlight coming in, it’s a pretty safe bet that air leakage is prevalent .
In most cases, you can fix this issue yourself by filling any cracks, holes, or gaps you find with caulk or sealant.

#3 Investigate For Signs Of Infestation

If you discovered holes and cracks in your attic, there’s a good chance that rodents and other critters are sneaking into your attic space. Signs of rodent infestation include:

Droppings
Urine
Gnawed or chewed wood

Sealing holes and cracks will keep other critters from getting into your attic, but can also trap any that have already chosen your attic as a warm place to pass the winter. This can cause even bigger problems down the road, so you’ll want to get a pest control expert on-site ASAP.

#4 Check Your Ventilation

The importance of proper attic ventilation cannot be overstated.

In winter, moist air tends to travel to the upper reaches of your home. If your attic is plagued by shoddy attic ventilation, the accumulation of all that damp air can lead to serious problems like wood rot or even dangerous molds.¹

To be sure that your attic is properly ventilated, check for:

Signs of moisture – If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, you might notice signs of dampness or moisture that has collected there, such as damp or rotted rafters or ceiling joists, mold growth, or damage to existing insulation.
Attic vents – Attic vents are typically required by most building codes, but it’s a good idea to check that these vents haven’t gotten clogged with leaves, twigs, loose fill insulation, or other refuse and that they are in good working condition.²

If you discover that your attic isn’t properly ventilated, you might look into installing additional vents or using an attic fan. For more information on how an attic fan works, visit Attic Construction today.

#5 Inspect Your Insulation

Making sure that your attic is outfitted with adequate insulation can keep your energy costs low, keep your HVAC from overworking and wearing out prematurely, and even improve the air quality of your home, among other benefits.³

A good place to start is by checking your existing insulation’s R-Value, which indicates an insulation’s effectiveness—the more effective an insulation, the higher its R-Value. The R-Value that’s right for you can depend on many factors, like where you live and your HVAC system.⁴

But R-Value isn’t the only thing to consider. Here are other signs that your insulation might not be up to snuff:

Draftiness or inconsistent temperatures throughout your house
Air leaks or water damage
Overworking HVAC or higher than expected energy bills
Rodent or other animal infestations

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to get a professional out to assess your attic insulation mistakes and remove and replace it as needed.

Schedule Your Attic Inspection Now with Attic Construction

Winter will be here before you know it, so the time to start prepping your attic for cold air is now.

Still, preparing an attic for cold can be a daunting and even stressful task, especially if your concerns are bigger than a few cracks or crevices. So why not let Attic Construction do it for you?

Questions about the R-Value of your current insulation or what R-Value is right for your home? We can tell you. Think your old insulation might be damaged or need to be replaced? Let us take a look. Our highly trained technicians are ready to answer all of your questions, and insulation is our specialty.

Don’t wait until it’s the dead of winter and you’re shivering under a pile of every blanket you own due to heat loss. Request your inspection for proper insulation with Attic Construction today.

Sources:

Findlay Roofing. Tips For Preparing Your Attic For Winter. https://www.findlayroofing.com/news/tips-for-preparing-your-attic-for-winter
SFGate. How to Check Attic Ventilation. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/check-attic-ventilation-39941.html
ARS Rescue Rooter. The Benefits of Insulating Your Attic. https://www.ars.com/blog/the-benefits-of-insulating-your-attic
Energy.gov. Insulation. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation