Add or Upgrade Insulation

Quick Facts Affordability Cost Savings CO2 Reduction		Insulation is important year-round. A well-insulated house will stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Roof or attic insulation is most important for keeping cool in warm weather. Most homes absorb heat through the roof, so insulating the top of the house keeps heat from reaching down to the living areas. Affordability If your house is uninsulated or poorly insulated, you will quickly recoup the costs of insulating with lower energy bills year-round. If you are building a house, good insulation installed properly will reduce your heating and cooling needs, and save you money. Cost savings For both heating and cooling, the attic is generally the most cost-effective place to add insulation. A well-insulated attic can save you money year-round, reducing cooling energy use by 20-60%. Health & comfort A well-insulated house is a more comfortable house. Insulation retains heat in cold weather and keeps your home cool when the weather is hot. Environmental considerations The energy savings from insulation benefit the environment, but not all insulations have equal environmental impacts. Some involve toxic manufacturing processes and are hazardous to install. There are other insulations available that are made from recycled waste materials. Check out our Buyer's Guide for information on insulation types and greener insulation options.

What you need to know

• The insulating properties of any material are referred to by their RSI (the metric measurement of thermal resistance) or R-value (the imperial measurement of thermal resistance). RSI or R-value is an indication of how well something resists the transfer of heat. The higher the RSI or R-value of a material, the more it will resist heat.
• An R-value of 40 to 50 (RSI 7 to 8.8) is recommended for attic insulation in most parts of B.C. Find the recommended R-value for attic insulation in your area [PDF, 169 Kb].
• It is generally better to insulate to a higher R-value than the minimum recommended level.
• Before you add more insulation to your attic, you need to know the R-value of what currently exists. Measure the thickness of your attic's insulation. For example, to achieve R-40, you will need approximately 34 cm (13.5 inches) of fibreglass blanket insulation. For R-50, you would need about 43 cm (16.75 in.).
• Insulating your attic is possible as a do-it-yourself project or you can hire a contractor.
• Wall insulation is also as important to cooling as it is to heating. Wall insulation can be more difficult to add to a preexisting house than insulation in the attic, but it can be done. For more information on insulation, refer to the insulation tip in our home heating guide.
• Insulation materials have what is called a "settled density," which is the thickness they will retain over time. The settled density equates to the R-value. Some materials settle more than others. Most insulation retailers or contractors will know how the various materials settle and can help you decide how much you will need to install.
• Attic air circulation is also important. The movement of air will remove heat gains. One device that can do this efficiently is a solar roof fan. The fan will come on when it is sunny to remove hot air from the roof. In the winter months, you can cover it to stop the fan from removing warm air from the attic.

FAQ

Will I need to add a lot of ventilation to my attic if I add insulation?
Ventilation helps to keep your house cool in summer and avoid moisture issues in winter. Good home ventilation is also essential for a healthy home. By law, your attic requires some ventilation and it is essential to ensure you don't block ventilation as you insulate. If your attic is not part of your living space, passive cooling vents that allow the attic to naturally cool are likely to be enough to keep heat from transferring into your house. Find our more in Upgrade your Ventilation.