Attic Insulation; How Much is Needed?

LESLIE: John in South Carolina needs some help with insulation. What can we do for you?

JOHN: I’m trying to qualify for a Good Sense home and I just have one barrier left and that would be to add insulation to my attic.

TOM: OK.

JOHN: And I just wanted to ask your opinion on the most efficient way to do that.

TOM: Well, what kind of insulation do you have right now, John?

JOHN: There is – it’s partially blown-in.

TOM: OK. Do you know how many inches you have?

JOHN: It is not up to regulation. I’m thinking …

TOM: OK. Well, if you’ve got blown-in insulation, then I would add more blown-in insulation. You want about 22 inches to meet modern standards.

JOHN: OK.

TOM: Total. OK? What’s this Good Sense program that you’re going to qualify for?

JOHN: Well, it’s actually a program that has been discontinued in my state of South Carolina but I was – I got in on it before it was discontinued, so …

TOM: Well, that’s great. And does that offer you some rebates or something or cover some of the costs?

JOHN: It did. I put in new windows, new energy-efficient hot water, I actually added a new heating and air system and this was the last thing.

TOM: Well, that’s great. Sounds like you took advantage of it, your timing was right. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for programs like that because they do come and go but when they’re there, they’re a great thing to take advantage of.

John, thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.