attic insulation

[Siebert Outdoors]

well guys, I'm in the process of making my house more energy efficient.  I'm tired of paying outrageous heating/cooling bills.  So I climbed up in the hot attic and noticed I have a ton of insulation. :  The heigth of a 2x4. So I put in some soffit vents for step #1.  Next will be the baffles So that leaves me with this question. Have any of you guys blown in insulation before.  Any tricks or pointers?

[mattm]

Gman,

I'm in the housing industry and deal with this stuff daily.  If you want to PM I will be glad to help where I can.  Soffit vents are a good/inexpensive start.  There are many other things you can do to drastically lower that bill.  I don't sell any of this stuff, i'm in new home sales, so i'm not going to try to sell you anything.  Unless you want a new house in the DFW area .  By the way if you insulation is only as high as a 2X4 you are drastically under insulated.  I'm pretty sure you are being sarcastic, but just wanna make sure.

[Long Mike]

I bought my 1965 vintage house about 15 years ago.  It had four inches of insulation in the ceiling.  I had R38 insulation blown in and replaced the ancient air conditioner with a heat pump.  My electricity bill dropped by two thirds - money very well spent.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Noticed a few winters ago that our house was the only one on the block without snow on the roof!  :-? Guess where the heat was going! We had a local company blow insulation into the attic and the walls. Great investment, noticed the savings for the heat and central AC.

[Siebert Outdoors]

  Quote

Gman,

I'm in the housing industry and deal with this stuff daily. If you want to PM I will be glad to help where I can. Soffit vents are a good/inexpensive start. There are many other things you can do to drastically lower that bill. I don't sell any of this stuff, i'm in new home sales, so i'm not going to try to sell you anything. Unless you want a new house in the DFW area . By the way if you insulation is only as high as a 2X4 you are drastically under insulated. I'm pretty sure you are being sarcastic, but just wanna make sure.

Nope I wasnt being sarcastic.    I've been doing alot of research and for my area I need a R49 I believe.  I will have to look again.  It came out to about 15" of insulation and I only have about 4 :.  I wish there was a way to do the walls but it wouldnt be cost effective.  It would meen new siding or drywall.  sending pm

Thanks guys  

[Siebert Outdoors]

  Quote

I bought my 1965 vintage house about 15 years ago. It had four inches of insulation in the ceiling. I had R38 insulation blown in and replaced the ancient air conditioner with a heat pump. My electricity bill dropped by two thirds - money very well spent.

I've been doing little cheaper things to help but I've pretty much done all of those.  

Now I'm at windows and doors and obviously attic insulation.  Good to hear how much your saving.

[llPa1nll]

I have recently totally remodeled my home, I am in NH so I am well aware of cold winters. I ripped everything out to the rafters, and started over. If your going blown in thats a way to go. If your going with fiberglass bats stick with Owens Corning, the pink stuff from HD. I tried other brands of insulation and it was garbage and ended up ripping it out and throwing it away. Anyway if you are going to go the blown in route I dont have much info for you but if your going to use the bats PM me and I will give you some tips.

[mattm]

Until you can replace the windows be sure to check them all for recaulking.  If you haven't done it in a year or two I can guarantee you it probably needs to be done.  Just check for any caulk missing where the frame meets the siding/brick.  Buy a good caulk and it will last.