Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - whole house insulation
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bamakodaker
04-24-08, 04:32 PM
Hello,
I have lived with my problem for 20 years with our little one story house - 1140 sq ft., 3 bed, one bath. We live in central Alabama. Not real unusual to have some over 100 degree days during summer then could get into teens in winter. Humidity - southern style. When we got the house, that first summer the AC ran constantly till about 10:30pm every night. You could stand up, raise your arm, wave you hand and tell it was hotter at the ceiling. I put in a gable mount vent fan and we could tell the difference immediately. In the winter, with the thermostat at 72 or 73, the floor would be so cold you had to wear shoes all the time. Those fuzzy mini-boot house shoes were fairly good at helping you keep from being cold. We replaced the original, single pane aluminum frame windows in a deal I made. The new ones are double paned, better but still some type of metal framing.
1 -
You can tell mice have been in my attic, you'll see a little tunnel here and there through the insulation. This past winter I've heard water pipes rattling so I know there are some "guests" up there. I have not found any way they are getting there. Could be they are pushing up and getting in through the gable vents. The original decking is way thin, doesn't meet current requirements. Nails through the gable, into shingles and deck, get loose through southern summers and winters. Not sure best way to "attach" the metal vents all around to prevent entry there. After 20 years and a few hailstorms (past deadline to submit claim) the roof is nearing the end of it's life. It's still in good condition. I have had a thermostat controlled gable mount vent fan most all the time. How to control critters in attic? How to find them or verify what they are? How to remove and keep them out? Like I said, mice have been around for - who knows have many mouse generations!
2 -
My house really needs insulation replaced/added in the attic. I guess it's the original fiberglass (?) insulation from 1966. Never been added to. It's quite settled. What insulation should I get? Add to the the blown-in insulation? Should I cover over the blown-in with batts? Should I remove all the old insulation first? - remember the attic critters. Should I use anything else? Like that aluminum shield that you staple to the rafters? What about any special vapor barrier?
The house has the original aluminum wiring. Have not seen any problem from that situation in the 200 houses in our sub-division. I would LOVE to replace the wiring or add to the house and change the wiring at that point. Should that be any consideration with the insulation? My wallet might not allow re-wiring due to the cost.
3 -
Walls - I wouldn't be surprised to learn there is absolutely no insulation there. Sheet rock on all walls except two in the den. The main breaker box is on the outside of one of those walls. Due to the winter coldness right there I feel there are some big holes behind the box that allow a lot of cold in. I can't see it but there is just too much cold there. What could we do to help those situations?
Overall - our utility bills are levelized. Gas at $73 per month, Elec at $124. I'd love to lower those bills but I would greatly love to not have cold feet in the winter! I understand that might be a dream with anything other than a new house but - well, this is all I have.
Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
bamakodaker
I have lived with my problem for 20 years with our little one story house - 1140 sq ft., 3 bed, one bath. We live in central Alabama. Not real unusual to have some over 100 degree days during summer then could get into teens in winter. Humidity - southern style. When we got the house, that first summer the AC ran constantly till about 10:30pm every night. You could stand up, raise your arm, wave you hand and tell it was hotter at the ceiling. I put in a gable mount vent fan and we could tell the difference immediately. In the winter, with the thermostat at 72 or 73, the floor would be so cold you had to wear shoes all the time. Those fuzzy mini-boot house shoes were fairly good at helping you keep from being cold. We replaced the original, single pane aluminum frame windows in a deal I made. The new ones are double paned, better but still some type of metal framing.
1 -
You can tell mice have been in my attic, you'll see a little tunnel here and there through the insulation. This past winter I've heard water pipes rattling so I know there are some "guests" up there. I have not found any way they are getting there. Could be they are pushing up and getting in through the gable vents. The original decking is way thin, doesn't meet current requirements. Nails through the gable, into shingles and deck, get loose through southern summers and winters. Not sure best way to "attach" the metal vents all around to prevent entry there. After 20 years and a few hailstorms (past deadline to submit claim) the roof is nearing the end of it's life. It's still in good condition. I have had a thermostat controlled gable mount vent fan most all the time. How to control critters in attic? How to find them or verify what they are? How to remove and keep them out? Like I said, mice have been around for - who knows have many mouse generations!
2 -
My house really needs insulation replaced/added in the attic. I guess it's the original fiberglass (?) insulation from 1966. Never been added to. It's quite settled. What insulation should I get? Add to the the blown-in insulation? Should I cover over the blown-in with batts? Should I remove all the old insulation first? - remember the attic critters. Should I use anything else? Like that aluminum shield that you staple to the rafters? What about any special vapor barrier?
The house has the original aluminum wiring. Have not seen any problem from that situation in the 200 houses in our sub-division. I would LOVE to replace the wiring or add to the house and change the wiring at that point. Should that be any consideration with the insulation? My wallet might not allow re-wiring due to the cost.
3 -
Walls - I wouldn't be surprised to learn there is absolutely no insulation there. Sheet rock on all walls except two in the den. The main breaker box is on the outside of one of those walls. Due to the winter coldness right there I feel there are some big holes behind the box that allow a lot of cold in. I can't see it but there is just too much cold there. What could we do to help those situations?
Overall - our utility bills are levelized. Gas at $73 per month, Elec at $124. I'd love to lower those bills but I would greatly love to not have cold feet in the winter! I understand that might be a dream with anything other than a new house but - well, this is all I have.
Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
bamakodaker
connie
04-28-08, 01:42 PM
Hello,
I'm sorry your post has gone unanswered. If you will go to the Department of Energy's home page:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
There's a search box in the upper right. Just type your topic and you'll get the best, up to date advice for your question.
Connie
I'm sorry your post has gone unanswered. If you will go to the Department of Energy's home page:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
There's a search box in the upper right. Just type your topic and you'll get the best, up to date advice for your question.
Connie
airman.1994
04-28-08, 06:56 PM
[QUOTE=bamakodaker;1355006]Hello,
I have lived with my problem for 20 years with our little one story house - 1140 sq ft., 3 bed, one bath. We live in central Alabama. Not real unusual to have some over 100 degree days during summer then could get into teens in winter. Humidity - southern style. When we got the house, that first summer the AC ran constantly till about 10:30pm every night. You could stand up, raise your arm, wave you hand and tell it was hotter at the ceiling. I put in a gable mount vent fan and we could tell the difference immediately. In the winter, with the thermostat at 72 or 73, the floor would be so cold you had to wear shoes all the time. Those fuzzy mini-boot house shoes were fairly good at helping you keep from being cold. We replaced the original, single pane aluminum frame windows in a deal I made. The new ones are double paned, better but still some type of metal framing.
1 -
You can tell mice have been in my attic, you'll see a little tunnel here and there through the insulation. This past winter I've heard water pipes rattling so I know there are some "guests" up there. I have not found any way they are getting there. Could be they are pushing up and getting in through the gable vents. The original decking is way thin, doesn't meet current requirements. Nails through the gable, into shingles and deck, get loose through southern summers and winters. Not sure best way to "attach" the metal vents all around to prevent entry there. After 20 years and a few hailstorms (past deadline to submit claim) the roof is nearing the end of it's life. It's still in good condition. I have had a thermostat controlled gable mount vent fan most all the time. How to control critters in attic? How to find them or verify what they are? How to remove and keep them out? Like I said, mice have been around for - who knows have many mouse generations!
2 -
My house really needs insulation replaced/added in the attic. I guess it's the original fiberglass (?) insulation from 1966. Never been added to. It's quite settled. What insulation should I get? Add to the the blown-in insulation? Should I cover over the blown-in with batts? Should I remove all the old insulation first? - remember the attic critters. Should I use anything else? Like that aluminum shield that you staple to the rafters? What about any special vapor barrier?
Cover old with blown in Cellulose. It has a coating that animals do not like. That type of RB does not work very well. If you are looking for a RB you need to go closed cell spray foam or the RB paint.
The house has the original aluminum wiring. Have not seen any problem from that situation in the 200 houses in our sub-division. I would LOVE to replace the wiring or add to the house and change the wiring at that point. Should that be any consideration with the insulation? My wallet might not allow re-wiring due to the cost.
If it is not the old tube and wire you are ok but AL wire is 2 not good start saving your money.
3 -
Walls - I wouldn't be surprised to learn there is absolutely no insulation there. Sheet rock on all walls except two in the den. The main breaker box is on the outside of one of those walls. Due to the winter coldness right there I feel there are some big holes behind the box that allow a lot of cold in. I can't see it but there is just too much cold there. What could we do to help those situations?
Cellulose added to walls with 3 inch holes.
Overall - our utility bills are levelized. Gas at $73 per month, Elec at $124. I'd love to lower those bills but I would greatly love to not have cold feet in the winter! I understand that might be a dream with anything other than a new house but - well, this is all I have.
Id say those are not high! My elec bill is that!
I have lived with my problem for 20 years with our little one story house - 1140 sq ft., 3 bed, one bath. We live in central Alabama. Not real unusual to have some over 100 degree days during summer then could get into teens in winter. Humidity - southern style. When we got the house, that first summer the AC ran constantly till about 10:30pm every night. You could stand up, raise your arm, wave you hand and tell it was hotter at the ceiling. I put in a gable mount vent fan and we could tell the difference immediately. In the winter, with the thermostat at 72 or 73, the floor would be so cold you had to wear shoes all the time. Those fuzzy mini-boot house shoes were fairly good at helping you keep from being cold. We replaced the original, single pane aluminum frame windows in a deal I made. The new ones are double paned, better but still some type of metal framing.
1 -
You can tell mice have been in my attic, you'll see a little tunnel here and there through the insulation. This past winter I've heard water pipes rattling so I know there are some "guests" up there. I have not found any way they are getting there. Could be they are pushing up and getting in through the gable vents. The original decking is way thin, doesn't meet current requirements. Nails through the gable, into shingles and deck, get loose through southern summers and winters. Not sure best way to "attach" the metal vents all around to prevent entry there. After 20 years and a few hailstorms (past deadline to submit claim) the roof is nearing the end of it's life. It's still in good condition. I have had a thermostat controlled gable mount vent fan most all the time. How to control critters in attic? How to find them or verify what they are? How to remove and keep them out? Like I said, mice have been around for - who knows have many mouse generations!
2 -
My house really needs insulation replaced/added in the attic. I guess it's the original fiberglass (?) insulation from 1966. Never been added to. It's quite settled. What insulation should I get? Add to the the blown-in insulation? Should I cover over the blown-in with batts? Should I remove all the old insulation first? - remember the attic critters. Should I use anything else? Like that aluminum shield that you staple to the rafters? What about any special vapor barrier?
Cover old with blown in Cellulose. It has a coating that animals do not like. That type of RB does not work very well. If you are looking for a RB you need to go closed cell spray foam or the RB paint.
The house has the original aluminum wiring. Have not seen any problem from that situation in the 200 houses in our sub-division. I would LOVE to replace the wiring or add to the house and change the wiring at that point. Should that be any consideration with the insulation? My wallet might not allow re-wiring due to the cost.
If it is not the old tube and wire you are ok but AL wire is 2 not good start saving your money.
3 -
Walls - I wouldn't be surprised to learn there is absolutely no insulation there. Sheet rock on all walls except two in the den. The main breaker box is on the outside of one of those walls. Due to the winter coldness right there I feel there are some big holes behind the box that allow a lot of cold in. I can't see it but there is just too much cold there. What could we do to help those situations?
Cellulose added to walls with 3 inch holes.
Overall - our utility bills are levelized. Gas at $73 per month, Elec at $124. I'd love to lower those bills but I would greatly love to not have cold feet in the winter! I understand that might be a dream with anything other than a new house but - well, this is all I have.
Id say those are not high! My elec bill is that!