Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Where to insulate first ?

Hello there, I have a ~50 years old house in the Seattle area (bought it ~4 years ago).

I can tell it's very energy inefficient, even after installing nw good windows.

Anyway, i was wondering where to insulate first.
Th attic has some insulation (gray blown kind), but it does not cover the wood beams so not very deep at all.

The crawlspace (5.5 feet tall) was not insulated at all (wood floor) ... i started adding insulation there but it's a pain because the wood "beams" are spaced "non-standard", making it difficult.

I don't think the wall are insulated (as far as i can tell through a removed power socket)

Anyway, here is my questions, I have lots of R19 fiberglass insulation (pink) available, where would it most energy efficient to use ?
- In the attic, adding to the probably insufficient current insulation(very easy)
- In the crawlspace (underfloor) - slow & difficult.
- In the walls (probably not something i can do on my own).

Thanks.

Since winter is approaching, I would say install the insulation in the attic. However, if the insulation has a vapor barrier (brown paper), then I'm not sure you would want to lay in on top of the blown insulation because moisture would get trapped between the ceiling and the new insulation leading to mold problems. Perhaps someone else can address this.

Mossman is correct, if it is kraft faced, remove the kraft and lay it across the joists in the attic. If any spaces between the joists are not full to the top, fill them first.However, let me back up a step. Before you add to the attic, locate and seal all air leaks, such at holes drilled for wiring, plumbing, and around your chimney. Can foam (fire rated), caulking, or some sheet metal where the gap is too wide. A piece of sheetrock works as well.

The same air sealing should be done in the crawlspace. If the CS has a dirt floor, a heavy vapor barrier should be used to cover the entire space and sealed to the walls up about 6" to a foot. Again, while you are down there, the perimeter of the house where it sets on the foundation, called the rim joist, is notorious for leaking cold air. Same approach, can foam and or caulk. Be sure to check areas under sinks, bath tubs, and showers as ofter a lot of wood was removed to make room for the plumbing. Once the rim joist is sealed, some of that fiberglass R-19 can be cut and fit into those spaces. I know this is just the crawl space, but heat lost to that area is quickly gone if the above hasn't been done. Very high on the energy auditor quick fix list.

There are many how to sites for air sealing a home and the results is one of the best pay-backs for your time and costs.

If that doesn't keep you busy, come on back and we will give you another list :).

Bud

I can tell that unequivocally walls without insulation in your case should be the top priority. You say the blown insulation in the attic doesn't cover the ceiling joists, do you know what dimensional joists those are? Even if you only have enough blown to equate to R-19 in the attic, installing more R-19 fiberglass on top will of course help, but be much less helpful to the overall insulating process than an R-13 in the walls, or as bud stated sealing air leaks and insulating rim joist cavities.

Also even uninsulated basement walls would be a better place to start. Typically people always think ceiling is where to add, but that is only true when relative insulation amounts around the rest of the house are factored in. Back when houses were built without any insulation the most important spot to FIRST add it was the attic/ceilings for certain. But once you have some in the attic, you will be better served adding it to places with ANY insulation first and then increasing the amount in the attic later.

If all you have access to is R-19 -and it's free- then putting it in the attic is better than nothing, but if you have to spend money on something then start in the areas with no insulation first.