How important is attic insulation?

1. Is attic insulation important or very very important?
2 my attic is insulated (home depot said it's good but I can use more. ) will I benefit more from adding more insulation or by buying a pellet stove? Which is better to put my money towards ?

I have a 1800sqft house with central air. I run on oil , I have a vaulted ceiling in the living room. Pellet stove would be installed down stairs in a finished basementbof a raised ranch house.

 

Depends on how much heat you want to escape through the roof. IMO very, very, very (count 3) important. Anyone you call out to inspect the insulation will always say you need more. They sell the stuff. How much insulation (in inches) do you have between the ceiling joists and what type? A pellet stove would be great, but its heat will evacuate if not properly insulated. It's not a matter of either or, but a matter of both.

 

Attic insulation is the most important insulation in the house. That is especially true in cold climes. Just how much insulation you need depends on where you are located.

Attic Insulation

Insulate to the recommended R value. IMO over insulating the attic is a waste of money.

 

I think I have 8 inches from the floor... if I take pictures, or make a video..can I link it in my post?

thanks for your help guys

 

see pics for the following....

1. Most of my attic has floor boards already so you can walk on... should I put insulation on top of the floor?

2. I have central air...do I put insulation around the ducts?

3. yes I know I misspelled insulation on the pictures

Attic - Windows Live

here is a youtube video of my attic...

YouTube - IMG 0484

 

From what I can see in the pix, you have adequate insulation. Not sure where you are located, so the jury is still out. You don't need to put insulation on top of the ductwork nor on top of the floor boards. Let us know where you are located.

 

Have you pulled a plywood floor sheet up yet to check for mold underneath? I would rip a 1" space every 1' for the moisture from below to leave that area easily. Add a housewrap to the attic side knee wall to prevent wind-washing from the outside air venting. Check under the knee wall for blocking of wood or rigid foam board. http://www.simplesavings.coop/simple...ee%20walls.pdf

Gary

 

I live in Connecticut ... I will see bout the mold in the floor. But so far it seems clean

 

In CT an R value of at least R38 is the minimum recommended. That would require about 12" of fiberglass insulation. I live in CT and have R-19 faced with R-19 unfaced batts on top laid perpendicular to the joists.

You can lay unfaced batts on top of the existing insulation. Mold isn't a serious issue in CT. If your attic is adequately ventilated you shouldn't have to worry about mold. I saw nothing in the pics that indicate a moisture problem. I would just check to see that there is a vapor barrier (plastic) or a moisture retardent (paper faced) on the bottom side of the existing insulation.

 

A pellet stove will be a good way to help offset the high cost of oil, but they aren't as cheap as insulation. You should definitely do any additional insulation first and get the pellet stove. Insulation is inexpensive and a good DIY project. I don't see the expense of it not allowing you to get the pellet stove.

Remember: "Insulation is fuel you only pay for once."

 

If you add insulation under the plywood, taking away the air space, you will have another vapor retarder (if one exists now) on each side of the insulation. Plywood has a vapor permeability rating of about 0.70, close to the same as asphalt covered kraft paper on insulation. This is not good.

To stop ice dams on the roof:
1. Seal all air leaks from below, most important. How to Seal Attic Air Leaks | The Family Handyman
2. Control the indoor humidity.
3. /4. Add insulation if needed. Possibly add/or not a balanced attic venting system.
Cold, wet coastal climate: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1999/tenwo99a.pdf

You lose more heat out the walls than the roof, how are the walls? How heat insulation works: Why and how you should insulate your home: Explain that Stuff!

Follow the guidelines for amount as mentioned, you may find this interesting- chart on pp. 2: http://www.enersavesystems.com/pdf/E...Insulation.pdf

Info-602: Ducts in Conditioned Space — Building Science Information

Gary