Overview
An Attic is the area of your home which is above the ceiling of the highest story of your home, and just below the roof.
Attic vents are the mushroom-shaped circulating fans on your roof, and/or the openings you see on the side of your house near your roof. These vents can become blocked by leaves, bird’s nests, etc. Your attic also contains ‘insulation’, a fluffy material that reduces the transfer of heat, similar to the way a down coat keeps a person warm. Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and helps to keep your home cool in the winter. Since heat rises, homes tend to lose heat through the roof, which is why attic insulation is important.
In most homes, the Attic space will be ‘un-finished,’ which means that it will not have any heating and air conditioning for this area, and the walls are not covered with drywall or plaster. However, in some homes the Attic space will be finished living space.
Some Attic spaces are easily accessed by permanent stairs, while in other homes the Attic space is accessed only through a moveable ceiling panel or a pull-down foldable ladder.
Routine Care
Check attic for insulation movement
Poorly placed insulation not only means your heating and cooling systems have to work harder (which costs you more money for energy and shortens their service lives).
And in snowy climates, heat loss to a roof can lead to the formation of ice dams on your roof which can cause water damage inside your home.
Timing: September (every 3 years)
How To
Your attic insulation should be inspected to ensure that it has not shifted out of place, and no openings have been created where heat can pass through.
Benefits
The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help maintain the energy efficiency of your home, and in snowy regions of the country, it can help prevent ice dams.
Costs
The cost of this task can be moderately high, from an investment of time standpoint, depending on how easy or difficult it is to access your attic spaces. You will likely need a good flashlight to complete this task.
Originally posted at http://www.petermuehlbronner.home-wizard.com/attic/care/check-attic-insulation-movement