Is it time to upgrade your attic insulation? Here’s how to tell.

Your attic insulation plays a huge role in the overall comfortability of your home. Too hot in the summer? Too cold in the winter? The culprit could be right above your head. Not only does your attic insulation affect your comfort, but it also affects your energy bill. Poorly performing attic insulation impacts the heat gain and heat loss of your home, which will force your HVAC system to run more often, increasing your energy bill. So quality attic insulation is a big deal! And TVA EnergyRight offers a $500 rebate on new attic insulation to turn that big deal into an affordable upgrade. But how do you even know if it’s time to upgrade your attic insulation? Let’s get into it! 

What does attic insulation do?

Insulation protects the conditioned areas in your home from the unconditioned areas. Translation: It prevents outdoor temps from disturbing the temperature you’re enjoying inside as well as keeping the unpleasant temps of, say, a hot attic, from crossing the thermal boundary into your living space. While attic insulation may be the kind of insulation most people are familiar with, you actually have insulation all over your home, including in the walls and your floors. Wall and floor insulation have the same function as attic insulation, and that’s to block the temperatures you don’t like from coming inside and block the temperatures you do like from leaving. 

5 signs it’s time to upgrade your attic insulation.

You don’t have to be an insulation expert to know when it’s time for a refresh. In fact, you’re more likely to feel that it’s time for an upgrade rather than see it.

1. Cold rooms. Do you have rooms you just can’t seem to keep warm? Attic insulation is designed to work hand in hand with your HVAC system and ductwork. If any one of those three systems is failing in some capacity, you’re going to feel it inside your home.

2. Inconsistent temperature and an overactive HVAC system. If you’re starting to notice a trend around temperature control, bingo! In the summer, does it seem like your AC can’t keep up with the rising temps? In the winter, is your heating system constantly running? Or do some rooms get really warm or cold while others remain comfortable? These can be signs it’s time for attic insulation upgrade.

3. Moisture and mold. When moisture collects in your home, mildew and mold form. This can create severe health issues, opening the door for airborne-related illnesses or increasing the symptoms of anyone who already deals with medical conditions like asthma or COPD. Improper installation of your existing insulation or the wrong combination of insulation types will trap moisture that rises from your living space in your attic insulation. Think about it like this: During colder months, warm, humid air in your bathroom will condense on the surface of the ceiling when there isn’t enough attic insulation to keep the ceiling warm. This creates an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. (Reminder: Run your bathroom exhaust fan during and after hot showers to also help prevent mold and mildew growth.)

4. Pests. This is no one’s preferred cause of failing attic insulation, but it’s a common driver for replacement. If you notice bugs or mice in your living spaces or can hear the sounds of skittering feet in your ceilings or walls, it’s very likely you’ve got a pest problem. Bugs, mice, squirrels, birds, and even larger critters like possums and raccoons, love nothing more than settling into your nice, cozy attic insulation. Not only is this a nuisance, but it’s also dangerous to breathe air contaminated by their droppings.

5. High energy bills. Seasonal fluctuations in your energy bill are normal. But if you’re seeing dramatic or atypical increases in your monthly energy bills (gas or electricity), there could be an issue with your attic insulation, especially if you’re confident your HVAC system and ductwork are in good working condition. Anytime your HVAC system is having to work harder than usual, you’re going to see an increase in your bills. Plus, added wear and tear on an HVAC system or ductwork decreases its overall efficiency and lifespan. (If you’re not sure about the condition of your electric HVAC system, use our $50 rebate toward a tune-up.)

Speak to a professional about your attic insulation.

If you’ve determined your current attic insulation might be the cause of any of the issues we just described, it’s time to talk to a professional. TVA EnergyRight makes that really simple.

Schedule a Home Energy Evaluation.

We partner with local power companies around our seven-state region to offer customers a Home Energy Evaluation. During an evaluation, one of our TVA-certified Home Energy Advisors will visit your home and conduct a full sweep of all things home energy-related, including your attic insulation. 

At the end of the evaluation, they’ll review your home’s top spots for energy efficiency improvements. Even better, they’ll list them in priority order, starting with the upgrades or fixes that will make the biggest difference to your overall energy efficiency, energy bill and indoor comfort. So, if the Home Energy Advisor sees issues with your attic insulation — you’ll find out as soon as they finish your evaluation — they can point you in the direction of trusted members of our Quality Contractor Network who can help.

Use the free Quality Contractor Network.

When it comes to choosing the right type of attic insulation for your home, please consult a professional! But finding a contractor you can trust can be overwhelming, which is why TVA EnergyRight created the Quality Contractor Network. This free resource allows you to search for and connect with licensed and insured contractors in your area who have been vetted by TVA and trained to meet our project quality standards. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Save $500 on new attic insulation with a TVA EnergyRight rebate.

The more energy efficient your home is, the more manageable your energy bills become. Make improving your home’s energy efficiency more affordable with TVA EnergyRight’s $500 rebate on new attic insulation. (And we offer $0 down, fixed-interest-rate financing if you need a little extra boost.) All of our rebate-eligible home energy upgrades, including attic insulation installation, are completed by members of our Quality Contractor Network, giving you peace of mind that you’ve hired a contractor who knows what they’re doing. Now you can stay cool all summer and warm all winter with new attic insulation. 

Find a contractor and get your $500 attic insulation rebate.