INSPECTION – THE CEILING & ATTIC

This has come up a bit for me lately as I have been helping clients buy older bungalow duplexes, with high utility costs, so thought this might be an interesting tip!

When buying a home one of the items a home inspector will check is the insulation in the ceiling, but have you ever looked at your Ceiling insulation years after you move in? Have you lived in your home a while? Do you own an older home? Ceiling insulation is critically important for controlling utility costs in Alberta, for several reasons:

• Harsh Winters: Alberta experiences cold winters with temperatures that can drop significantly below freezing. Proper ceiling insulation helps keep the warmth inside your home, reducing the need for continuous heating. This, in turn, lowers your heating bills.

• Heat Loss Prevention: Heat naturally rises, and without effective ceiling insulation, a substantial amount of heat can escape through the ceiling and into the attic or outside. Adequate insulation helps prevent this heat loss, reducing the workload on your heating system and saving on energy costs.
• Energy Efficiency: Insulating your ceiling ensures that your home is more energy-efficient. This means you can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive energy consumption, which helps reduce your utility bills.
• Ice Dams Prevention: Heavy snowfall is common during the winter. Without proper insulation, heat escaping from your home can cause snow on your roof to melt and refreeze, leading to the formation of ice dams. Ice dams can damage your roof and increase heating costs. Insulation helps maintain a consistent roof temperature, preventing ice dam formation.
• Year-Round Benefits: Ceiling insulation isn’t just about keeping your home warm in the winter; it also helps keep your home cooler in the summer by blocking the transfer of heat. This results in lower cooling costs during hot summers.
• Long-term Savings: While the upfront cost of insulation installation may seem significant, it is an investment that pays off over time. Proper insulation can lead to significant long-term savings on both heating and cooling costs, making your home more cost-effective to maintain.
• Environmental Impact: Reduced energy consumption due to effective insulation is not only financially beneficial but also environmentally responsible. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers your carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.