BY MIRANDA BOUTELLE
If you’re looking for hidden energy savings in your home, start at the top. A common hiding spot for energy savings is the attic. It is also a common location for storing holiday decorations and sentimental items that aren’t frequently used. Yet, using your attic for storage can be problematic when trying to maximize your home’s energy efficiency. Let’s explore how you can improve insulation levels and properly store items in your attic.
Year-round benefits
Attic insulation is one of the best low-cost ways to make your home efficient. People often associate insulation with keeping your home warmer in the winter, but it also provides benefits in the summer. Insulation reduces heat transfer from the attic to the house, which lowers energy bills for air conditioning and makes your home more comfortable.
Attic insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measurement of how well a material resists the flow of heat. For attic insulation, thicker is better. The recommended R-value is typically between R-38 and R-60, depending on your climate. For attics without insulation, R-60 is recommended for Iowa. If you already have 3 to 4 inches of insulation, then R-49 is recommended. In most homes, the ceiling joists are buried in insulation to achieve the recommended R-value.
The problem with attic storage is it typically doesn’t offer enough space for the recommended R-value. Often, plywood or boards are placed directly on top of the ceiling joists, which doesn’t allow enough space for the insulation. Insulation can get compacted by people moving items in or out, reducing the effective R-value.
Ideas for attic storage without comprising insulation
Ideally, the attic would not be used for storage so that it can be properly insulated, but that’s not feasible for everyone. Here are some strategies for maintaining attic storage and recommended insulation levels.
The best location for attic storage is over an unconditioned area of your home, such as the garage. You don’t need insulation in attic spaces over a garage or unconditioned area because you are not heating or cooling the space below. This makes it the perfect spot to tuck away items for storage.
If that isn’t an option, consider minimizing the number of stored items or the storage area’s footprint. A great way to do this is by building an attic storage platform. A raised platform allows the space underneath it to be fully insulated. These platforms are available in ready-to-install kits, or you can buy materials and build them yourself.
Allow enough space underneath the platform to achieve the proper R-value. Use lumber to build a frame perpendicular to the existing joists and cover it with plywood or oriented strand board. Once your storage area is set up, add insulation inside the platform to bring the R-value up to the proper level.
Your attic might also have trusses that allow you to build shelves and maximize space by storing items vertically.
Always wear a dust mask or respirator when working in the attic. Don’t forget to weatherstrip the attic hatch to ensure a tight seal.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.