![\"Cash](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/my-attic-has-no-insulation-money-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Yes, it\u2019s a problem that your attic isn\u2019t insulated<\/h2>\n
While attic insulation may not seem essential, there are several downsides to leaving this space exposed to the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll have higher energy bills<\/h3>\n
Heat rises<\/a>, and when the weather grows cold, your expensive, HVAC heat escapes through your uninsulated attic. If you invest in attic insulation, you can trap the heat in your home and significantly reduce your energy bills.<\/p>\n \u201cIn south Georgia, I had a 2,600 square foot one-story ranch home that had electric bills up to $600 a month with the old roll-out insulation in the attic. We paid $2,700 to get the spray foam insulation, and our electric bill went down to $200 a month,\u201d recalls Savannah, Georgia-based agent Teresa Cowart<\/a>, who works with 77% more homes than the average agent.<\/p>\n Regions with hot climates also benefit from attic insulation. Insulation specially formulated with a radiant barrier<\/a> protects your house from the sun beating heat down on your roof, which in turn reduces how often you run your air conditioning.<\/p>\n When your attic isn\u2019t insulated, the heat that escapes through the roof can lead to ice dams during colder seasons. These dams impact the structural integrity of your roof over time.<\/p>\n \u201cAn ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the edge of a roof or on top of a home\u2019s gutters. As snow and ice melt and mix with new moisture, the ice compresses and builds in layers, becoming a dangerous dam blocking water from running off the roof,\u201d explains Joshua Miller of\u00a0Rainbow International Restoration<\/a>, a\u00a0Neighborly\u00a0company.<\/p>\n \u201cEventually, this water and moisture enters the home and can potentially cause damage to the ceiling or walls. Ice dams can also cause structural degradation, electrical problems, and can be a breeding ground for dangerous mold to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n When it\u2019s time to sell, the absence of attic insulation probably won\u2019t make or break your home sale. However, it can negatively impact the sale in several ways.<\/p>\n For starters, the lack of insulation will come up in the home inspection process.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen selling your home without proper insulation, the insulation line item will be rated as “Poor\/Deficient” with a recommendation of adding insulation to improve energy savings,\u201d explains Joe Tangradi of\u00a0HouseMaster<\/a>, a\u00a0Neighborly\u00a0company.<\/p>\n Tangradi advises that home inspectors note the amount of insulation present, measured in inches. For most regions, 10 inches of insulation (an R-value of 30) is considered adequate.<\/p>\n If the inspection deems your attic un- or underinsulated, your buyers may ask you to add more insulation or pay them to do so before moving forward with the sale.<\/p>\n In areas where extreme weather is an issue, the right kind of insulation can impact your home\u2019s value. Remodeling Magazine reports that the average attic air-seal and fiberglass insulation job costs $1,343 and adds $1,446 in value at resale<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Georgia, spray foam insulation is seen as an added value versus the blown-in insulation,\u201d advises Cowart.<\/p>\n There are several types of insulation<\/a> to choose from that vary in material, ease of installation, effectiveness, and cost.<\/p>\n Rolled insulation is by far the cheapest option as it typically costs only $0.12 to $0.90 per square foot<\/a>, depending on its R-value and specialty features like radiant barriers. This type of insulation is also relatively simple to install if you have an attic without many hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.<\/p>\n \u201cRoll out insulation installation isn\u2019t rocket science, but it\u2019s a hot, sweaty, itchy, and meticulous job. And attics often don\u2019t have solid flooring throughout, so you risk putting your foot through the ceiling, which will cost you more money to repair,\u201d says Cowart.<\/p>\n Loose-fill insulation is a bit pricier, ringing in at around $1 to $1.50 per square foot<\/a>. It can be tricky to calculate the total cost of loose-fill insulation for your attic. You need to factor in the price differences between the different R-value levels, as well as how deep the loose-fill insulation needs to be in your area.<\/p>\n Spray foam is the most effective insulation since it spreads over surfaces evenly, then hardens and tightens to create a perfect fit barrier. Spray foam is also easier to get into the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, so you\u2019re not leaving any gaps where hot or cold outside air can get into the house.<\/p>\n There are two types of spray foam insulation: open cell and closed cell<\/a>. Ask your local insulation expert which type is better for your region.<\/p>\n Attic insulation costs vary depending on if you hire a pro to install it or go the DIY route.<\/p>\n If you want to save money, you can install insulation yourself. Installing loose-fill insulation is fairly easy even for those who are new to DIY.<\/p>\n Along with the insulation, you\u2019ll need to rent the blower, which ranges from around $90 for four hours to $125 for a full day<\/a>. You may also be able to snag a free blower rental from the place where you purchase your insulation.<\/p>\n The drawback of DIYing your insulation is that self-installed insulation can prove ineffective if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have the tools or skills to properly get insulation into those hard-to-reach spaces, or you aren\u2019t careful about achieving full coverage in your attic, your insulation cannot fully insulate your house.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can hire a professional to install insulation for $40 to $70 an hour<\/a> on top of the cost for the insulation itself. If you go this route, Cowart advises opting for spray foam insulation over loose-fill:<\/p>\n \u201cSpray foam is the longest lasting and best option in terms of added value, however in my experience, spray foam insulation is only done by professional companies. You won\u2019t see a return immediately on spray foam insulation, but if you intend to live in your home for any amount of time, it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\nIce dams can form on your roof<\/h3>\n
Attic insulation impacts your home at resale<\/h2>\n
Home inspectors flag inadequate attic insulation<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/unnamed.jpg\")
<\/a>Attic insulation can add value to your home<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/my-attic-has-no-insulation-spray-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Types of attic insulation<\/h2>\n
Rolled insulation<\/h3>\n
Loose-fill insulation<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/unnamed-1.png\")
<\/a>Spray foam<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/unnamed-2.png\")
<\/a>Attic insulation installation: DIY vs. hire-out<\/h2>\n
DIY your attic insulation<\/h3>\n
Hire a professional<\/h3>\n
Insulate that attic ASAP!<\/h2>\n