Accumulated heat in your home’s attic can radiate through structural components and into the home’s living spaces. Attics are a significant source of heat gain if they aren’t adequately insulated and ventilated. Excessive heat in the attic causes the air conditioning to work harder in order to keep your home at the desired temperature, wasting energy and increasing utility spending.

Here are tips to reduce heat in the attic of your home to prevent it from sneaking into your living space.

Verify the R-value. Each region of the country has a recommended R-value for optimal insulation. Peachtree City falls into Zone 3. Take a look in your attic space and check the R-value on the insulation batts. It should be printed on the paper lining. If your insulation is loose-fill fiberglass or cellulose, you may need to verify the R-values from the manufacturer’s paperwork. If your home is newer, or you have spray foam insulation, the insulation is probably adequate but a professional insulation contractor can tell you for sure.

Make sure there’s enough. Your attic insulation should be consistent, without any gaps or holes. The depth of the insulation should come to no less than one inch from the top of the attic floor joists. If you see noticeable gaps or holes, or notice the insulation isn’t deep enough, you will want to add more. Before insulating, make sure that air leaks between your attic and living spaces are sealed, since insulation isn’t an effective barrier to air movement.

Gaps and holes are common in older homes where aftermarket electrical work was done and the insulation was disturbed. If you’re going to upgrade your insulation, consider hiring an electrician to pre-wire for future electrical and/or entertainment system upgrades. This will prevent future insulation disturbances.

Ventilation. Poor ventilation is a common cause of excessive heat in the attic. If the heat that builds up in the attic during our hot summer days has nowhere to go, eventually it will seek to get into your home. Solar attic fans are an efficient way to ventilate your attic.

Is excess heat in attic spaces affecting your utility spending? Contact Powers Heating & Air. We’ve provided air conditioning solutions to Peachtree City clients since 2001.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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