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 Put Your Foot Down - In the Attic If you don't have at least a foot of insulation in your attic, your energy costs are going through the roof—literally. Having the proper amount of insulation in your attic can lower your heating costs by up to 30%. Since heat rises, one of the single most effective things you can do to reduce energy costs is to lay down extra insulation in the attic. Start by seeing what's in the attic right now. In older houses, there's usually insulation placed between the ceiling joists—usually 6-8 inches. Laying down batts or an insulation blanket over the existing insulation effectively doubles the amount of insulation in your attic, resulting in significant energy gains. Insulation effectiveness is expressed in R-Value. For example, six inches of fiberglass or blown-in cellulose insulation has a value of R-19. Adding another six inches equals a foot, for R-38. Learn more about adding attic insulation.
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