Let's start with the attic. It's a major player in your home's
energy efficiency. A few basic steps can help you keep your costs down.
Check the fit of your attic access door or pull-down stairs.
Weather-strip and insulate the door where you can.
Insulate the attic space. Insulation can be added as loose
fill or from rolls. High efficiency building code standards show "R"
value recommendations of R-49 in ceilings, R-19 in walls, and R-25 over
crawlspaces. The "R" value is a measure of how well insulation
traps heat.
Ventilate the attic space. Homes built long ago may have
little ventilation or original vents may have been blocked by later construction.
Vents are needed both high and low in the attic space to promote good circulation
for proper ventilation.
If you're having a new roof installed, consider adding
a ridge vent in the process.
