Photo Album: Springfield VA Attic Insulation and Air Seal project

This Springfield VA homeowner called us because they were experiencing comfort issues in their home and had higher than usual energy costs. Our Home Performance Sales pro came out and did a no cost, whole home inspection to try and identify what was causing these issues. Part of the issue was the design of the house. There were several top of the home level spaces connected to the attic known as knee walls which were not insulated and by design, allowed free air to come in and out of the attic area. This allowed hot outdoor air in the summer or cold outdoor air in the winter to find its way into the rooms and living spaces of the home. This could cause the HVAC system to run more than needed if the conditioned air being made was fighting to survive against the unconditioned air from outside. In addition to this, the attic was lacking a proper air seal and had previously had insulation poorly installed that was not working. Our production team was sent out to remove the existing insulation, use Zyp Foam to help create a better air seal in the gaps and cracks of the attic that allowed air to move and around the can light fixtures. The knee walls were then insulated with Silver Glo insulation panels and again sealed up with Zyp Foam to prevent the movement or air. The final step in the project was to blow in Tru Soft cellulose insulation to cover everything in between. The end result was a better insulated attic that would help to reduce the energy costs for the homeowner and make the home more comfortable.

Can Light Covers and Air Sealing

Mid way through the project the can lights were covered with rock wool covers which are fire safe and then sealed with Zyp Foam.

Insufficient Insulation

Air finds a way to move. Everywhere this existing insulation had a gap or whole, was a place where conditioned air could leave and cause a need in the home for the HVAC system to create more. this was helping to raise the energy costs to heat and cool the home

Old Insulation Removal

Seeing several different types of insulation in an attic is always a sign to us that someone else has been asked to solve the homes comfort issues. It looks here like a previous owner of the home had hired an insulation company who just piled new insulation on top of the old insulation but never bothered to find out what the root cause of the home performance issue was.

Old Insulation Removal Needed

This space was previously insulated poorly and was allowing air to move freely inside the knee walls.

Insufficient Insulation

This would all need to be cleared out in order to have air sealed panel insulation installed on the walls.

Silver Glo insulation panels

Covering the knee walls with rigid panel insulation followed air sealing, will keep this space properly insulated and prevent the free flow of air in and out.

Wall Panel Insualtion

Silver Glo panel insulation in one of the many knee walls of this home.

Air Sealed and Insulated

Zyp Foam was used to seal up the seams of the Silver Glo insulation panels.

Cellulose Insulation Blown In - Tru Soft

Once the attic floors were air sealed and properly treated, Tru Soft cellulose insulation was blown over to cover and create the needed R Value for this home.