It is vitally important to choose the right kind of attic insulation for your Sunrise Manor home if you want to achieve energy efficiency and live in comfort indoors. "These aren't just homes; they're our environments," says Lisa Quayle, who leads the Energy Upgrade California project for the nonprofit Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun. "We want to help ensure they're safe, healthy, and efficient." Professional energy auditors who work with Quayle's nonprofit project have completed more than 500 energy audits on homes in Arizona. Their work has let them see firsthand how improper insulation, or the lack of it, in the attic can create severe problems for the homeowners. "Hot air rises," Quayle says, "so if you don't have the correct insulation in your attic, your space is going to feel hot, and your air conditioning unit is going to be working overtime."
When determining whether you need to upgrade your attic insulation, you should take both the condition and age of your current insulation into account. Many older homes in Sunrise Manor have insulation that is insufficient or in a state of disrepair, failing to meet modern standards. An expert in insulation can help you determine whether you can insulate over the old insulation, upgrade insulation in the old areas, or completely replace the insulation in your attic. Whatever route you take should consider the R-value of the insulation. R-value measures an insulation material's effectiveness in resisting heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the material resists heat flow. For Sunrise Manor, the recommended minimum value for attic insulation is R-38.
Selecting the correct insulation is vital, but equally important is having it installed properly. Although many homeowners may be tempted to undertake this project themselves, it is often better to hire professional insulation contractors. These experts have the requisite knowledge and tools to ensure a precise installation. "They [professional contractors] should also be able to guard against doing a moldy installation, which can happen if the insulation is applied in damp conditions or is not applied in a way that keeps it dry." In addition to providing a better guarantee against mold, a well-installed insulation system can also protect against unwanted pests. By investing both in good materials and good installers, homeowners can expect their insulation to perform up to spec.
