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Thread: Attic Insulation Question

  1. #1

    Default Attic Insulation Question

    The house is/was losing ground in the 100-degree stuff we were having. HVAC seems to be operating to the best of its abilities. Doesn't tend to lose ground till 2 pm to 3 pm and the house will creep up to a max (so far) of 82 degrees. (AC is set a 77). The weekly updates from my electric provider are showing we are spinning the meter hard!

    My AC is hung in the roof joists of the attic. They put a 10' x 10' OSB deck under the AC to give service guys access to the unit.

    Figured out it has R19 batts under that OSB. The builder blew cellulose insulation everywhere else that the attic is flat.

    Recommended R value for an Attic is a Minimum of R30 https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm...sulation_table

    My thought is to pull up the OSB decking and put some R-30 batts in and put the decking back. Then this fall blow in some more cellulose insulation over everything else since it looks like the cellulose have settled over the years.

    Does this sound like a logical plan of attack?

  2. #2
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    'Squishing' R30 batts under the decking won't help much, unless you have 10" rafters. I'd just blow in cellulose thru the whole attic.

  3. #3

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    9" rafters which should work with an R30 shouldn't it?? Plan to pull the R-19 that is in place now.

    They put the furnace filter in the attic along with the AC. So I have to allow for access to get that 'tupid filter.....
    Last edited by POS Racing; 07-31-2017 at 02:16 PM.

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    I thought most attics in 1-stories are 2x8's, which is actually 7.5". R30 batts are 10 (or maybe 9.5") deep. Fiberglass works better when it's not compressed.

  5. #5

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    Just stuck my head back in the attic they measure at just over 9".

    Thought I saw where Owens Corning show R30 Batts at 9-1/2" x 24" x 48". (I'll recheck that)

    So I'd squish just under 1/2". Which I know is not perfect but it should be better than the R19 bats that are under the decking currently.

  6. #6

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    Tried to get a few pictures of the attic:




  7. #7
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    Agreed. Go with the R30's.

    PS - is that your timeout chair?

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    Agreed. Go with the R30's.

    PS - is that your timeout chair?
    You don't want to get a timeout at my house......

  9. #9
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    Will your power company do an infrared scan of your house? There might be places other than the attic that could use some help.

    PS Anyone on the forum able to do an IR scan?
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  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by cone-cerned View Post
    Will your power company do an infrared scan of your house? There might be places other than the attic that could use some help.

    PS Anyone on the forum able to do an IR scan?
    An energy audit may be a good plan...

    So I'm going to attempt my stop gap measures I see mention of Craft Faced (Paper) and non-craft face insulation.

    Where the insulation was blown in I don't see a vapor barrier but the stuff under the "Deck" is craft faced. Trying to Figure out Ft. Worth Building code is confusing at best. Not sure if I need a Vapor barrier or not...

  11. #11
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    I like the energy audit idea. Got this from the google.

    http://www.oncor.com/en/pages/energy...-programs.aspx

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    I like the energy audit idea. Got this from the google.

    http://www.oncor.com/en/pages/energy...-programs.aspx
    Folks who work for Oncor are sketchy.......

  13. #13
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    ^Buncha hippies.

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    Don't be talkin' bad 'bout hippies, man.

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    Being a hippy can be fun...
    Last edited by sammm; 08-02-2017 at 05:53 PM. Reason: NSFW pic deleted

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    The local power delivery company only hires the highest quality employees. I've had the audit and like the employees, it rocks.
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  17. #17

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    I installed radiant barrier on top of my attic insulation years ago and it seemed to help a lot. Hard to verify before/after because of varying temps, but I think it is worthwhile.
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  18. #18

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    How old is the AC unit? How many tons and sq feet is it servicing?
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  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
    How old is the AC unit? How many tons and sq feet is it servicing?
    It's the same one that has been cooling the place for 22+ years. Had it checked out and it was running within its specifications. HVAC guy also recommended insulation.

    I run under Grandpa Harrison's old addige; "If it works don't f*ck with it." We know its time is near but would rather replace it in the winter when the HVAC guys need the work and have the time to do a decent installation.

  20. #20

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    You will be surprised how much more efficient the new A/C unit will be. My electric bill dropped by half with the new unit!
    Gabriel

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