Your attic is likely one of those spaces you just don’t think about all that often. It’s a place reserved for storing Christmas decorations or stashing old family photo albums. However, letting your attic go ignored for too long can have some adverse results for homeowners. Failing to pay attention to this oft-forgotten space could result in a significant increase to your heating and cooling bills. It could also be accelerating the breakdown of your roof. In many cases, homeowners are paying hundreds of dollars extra each year in an attempt to control the temperature throughout their home without realizing the attic is the issue. Let’s take a closer look at how your attic insulation in Little Rock, AR affects the rest of your home.
How does the attic affect cooling and heating?
Your home will be unable to maintain a consistent cool or warm temperature without proper attic insulation in Little Rock, AR. The insulation prevents the air produced by the heater or air conditioner from seeping out into the outside world. Instead, it stays within the home to create a comfortable temperature. Additionally, heat can sneak into your home from the roof, which causes the AC to work over time to bring the temperature back down. An improperly insulated attic can have the following consequences:
- Increased costs: An improperly insulated attic can have a dramatic impact on your monthly utility bill. As the sun hits the home, a poorly protected attic will begin to warm up and radiate heat throughout the entire house. The air conditioner then works harder to maintain the designated temperature. The same thing occurs in the winter with the heater pushing for warmer temperatures. Both systems are forced to constantly run to replace the lost heat or cool air. Ultimately, the extra work will be reflected on your next bill.
- Winter freezing: You know that hot air rises, but when there’s insufficient insulation, this rising air can melt the snow on the roof. The melted water will then run down into the eaves before refreezing. Eventually, an ice dam will begin to form in the runoff, where it will back up into the shingles. The shingles, the eaves and the underlayment of the roof will all be at risk for breaking. On top of that, the water may even leak into the house or attic.
- Shortened equipment lifespan: As mentioned previously, your HVAC system is forced to work extra hard to pick up the slack in an under-insulated home. Unfortunately, that added work doesn’t come without consequences. The unit will likely have a shortened lifespan due to more frequent breakdowns from the increased wear and tear.
- Damaged roofing: Temperatures can exceed 160 degrees in a poorly insulated attic during the summer months. This not only places extra demands on the cooling system, but will essentially bake the roofing system from below if there is insufficient insulation. The adhesives will soften and the materials will become increasingly brittle until they break. You’ll then be faced with no choice but to replace the entire roofing system.
Don’t let your home be ruined by inadequate attic insulation in Little Rock, AR. Call Harris Insulation today to learn more about how adding attic insulation can benefit you and your home.