Celing insulation ideas needed READ DETAILS PLEASE THANKS ???

Question

I am a 56 year old single female on a limited budget so am trying to cut heating costs. I've been told to check my attic insulation so I did. It was blown in about 1981 to my single level 1100 sq. ft dwelling. When I look at it , it appears to look like stuffing. Could I DIY another type of insulation or pay someone a little to put more insulation in. NO I DON'T HAVE MORE MONEY so please don't say "Just do it right the first time" because if one doesn't have the money, they dont have the money. I am disabled as far as energy level. That is why I am broke, got no disability income !! former school teacher Thanks for any great advice 56 year old dino

Answer 1

That is how it is supposed to look, but there are many more opportunities to save on heat. Get that plastic shrink wrap for your windows, windows are the number one culprit for heat loss, easy to do and not very expensive. Next get the foam inserts to put behind plugs and switches on outside walls, what you are trying to do is prevent drafts, which not only rob heat, but make a home feel colder than it is.Turn down the thermostat, if you spend most of your day in a single room get an energy efficient electric heater with a thermostat for that room. If the draft is from the door, place a rolled up towel by it. All little inexpensive things that can ad up to a real savings

Answer 2

I'm a 60 yr old dino and I can do what you need to do, so take heart. I would recommend that you lay fiberglass bats over the existing insulation as the cheapest, easiest way to add R-value. Depending what is available in your area, you may be able to get bats that are covered in plastic and you won't need gloves or a mask otherwise be sure to cover up because you will ITCH if you don't. The bats are long strips that are light weight and are easy to cut to length. If your existing insulation doesn't fill the spaces between the rafters to the top, just lay the new bats over it between the rafters. If the spaces are completely full and you want to add more over it you can just lay the bats in rows with their sides touching to give complete coverage with no gaps. Be sure you don't accidentally step on the insulation between rafters. You can work on it a little at a time.

Check with your power company for insulation rebates and special low cost installers, too. Many of them have special programs that don't require you to be low income or disabled. While you're at it, pick up a water heater jacket to put around the tank. That will lower the cost for hot water.

There is a non-profit organization that will help if you ever get into a situation where you can't pay your utility bills. Go to www.acornhousing.org They help with other things too like negotiating with your mortgage company if you get behind and helping you fill out your IRS return. Check the map on the site for locations.

Answer 3

Pengy nailed this one for you. The attic insulation sounds like it is fine the way you described it. Replacing it with fiberglass batts won't do much for you since they have similar insulation values. It doesn't sound like the attic is your problem.

Doors and windows are where you will get the most bang for your buck. Our kitchen was significantly warmer just by putting plastic over the outside of the windows.

The other suggestions of checking for community resources are great. I've done winterizing volunteer work around here. Many groups will come an put the plastic on your windows for you, add weather stripping to doors, etc.

Answer 4

Yes,you could put more insulation in but it's not cheap but then again neither is gas or electric. You would definitely need some help as going up and down steps to take it up is not easy. It also depends on how much room you have in the attic and how the rafters are laid out as to how difficult it would be. Another,easier option would be to go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy the type you blow in. They will loan you the blower,you just have to put down a refundable deposit. Good Luck (we just got through insulating under the house)

Answer 5

Listen, before you get into anything, do a little homework locally and see if there are any groups in your area that do this kind of work for people who are elderly, infirm, without money, and much in need of this or similar work done in their home. I think if you start enquiring around you might be pleasantly surprised. If you belong to a church, ask the pastor if he knows anyone who could help you with this because of your circumstances.

This is definitely not a DIY job for you, so don't even think about it. We recently had our attic insulating topped up. We were told that it is adviseable these days to have ten inches of insulation pumped up there, for best effect.

Keep asking around. You might call your local hospital or Chamber of Commerce and check with them about any groups. I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if places like Home Depot have some contact with people who do this for deserving cases.

Answer 6

Do you have a 'Weatherization' program in your area? They help those of us that have limited income with needs like you have stated.(How's my punctuation, and spelling?)(By the way, thanks for those years of teaching)