Victoria Television Group 3808 N. Navarro
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: 361 575-2500
Fax: 361 575-2255
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Energy Efficient Attics
Written by Shawna Currie
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
FOR YEARS, THE BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING ATTICS AND EVEN CRAWL SPACES HAVE REQUIRED US TO PROPERLY VENTILATE THOSE. NOW, WE'VE INSULATED THE HOUSE UNDERNEATH THE LIVING SPACE BY USING FIBERGLASS INSULATION OR MAYBE A SPRAY FOAM THAT TYPE OF THING. BUT THE ATTIC ITSELF HAS BASICALLY BEEN UNCLIMATIZED.
IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A BASEMENT, CHANCES ARE YOUR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM IS DOWN THERE. BUT IF YOU HAVE A HOME SITTING ON A SLAB OR ON A CRAWL SPACE, CHANCES ARE YOUR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM ARE RIGHT UP HERE IN THE ATTIC ALONG WITH A LOT OF THE DUCT WORK THAT FEEDS THE ROOMS DOWNSTAIRS. THIS IS NOT VERY ENERGY EFFICIENT. IN THE SUMMER, WHEN WE'RE ASKING THIS THING TO BE AN AIR-CONDITIONER, IT'S SITTING IN 130 DEGREE HEAT. AND, IN THE WINTER, WHEN WE'RE ASKING IT TO BE A HEATER, IT'S SITTING IN 30-40 DEGREES. IT'S JUST NOT SMART!
FOR YEARS, THE CODE HAS REQUIRED US TO ACTUALLY VENTILATE THESE ATTICS UP HERE. WE HAVE SOFFIT VENTS, RIDGE VENTS, OR SQUARE VENTS TO TRY TO GET AN ADEQUATE AIRFLOW COMING UP HERE. NOW THERE'S A BETTER WAY. WE CAN ACTUALLY INSULATE THIS ATTIC AND TREAT IT JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ROOM IN OUR HOUSE. WE CAN SPRAY A SPRAY FOAM INSULATION BETWEEN THE RAFTERS UP HERE THAT WILL ACTUALLY INSULATE THIS ROOM FROM THE OUTDOORS. NOW WE'RE KEEPING THE TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 60 AND 80 DEGREES ALL YEAR LONG AND THAT'S MUCH MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT. IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUILD OR REMODEL, THE NEW CODE REQUIREMENTS ALLOW YOU TO INSULATE THIS ATTIC AREA JUST LIKE THE REST OF YOUR HOUSE.
DON SAYS IF YOU'RE ADDING A NEW HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM, A PROPERLY CLIMATIZED ATTIC MAY ALLOW YOUR HEATING AND COOLING PROFESSIONAL TO ACTUALLY DOWNSIZE YOUR HVAC UNIT.
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