How Your Ceiling Can Be Renovated for Energy Efficiency

Everyone knows the basic steps to make your home more energy efficient. Replacing old single paned windows, caulking and weather-stripping cracks, installing new Energy Star appliances and scheduling regular maintenance on your HVAC system all reduce your monthly energy costs. But have you ever looked up? Consider how your ceilings and attic space can be made more energy efficient.

• The perfect time to increase the insulation levels in your attic, ensure there is adequate ventilation, and correct any areas where air leakage is detected is when you begin your Atlanta home renovations. Taking care of these three critical areas at the beginning quite possibly can allow you to reduce the size of your HVAC system since your overall insulation rating will be increased.
• The first step is to eliminate air leakage. While this sounds like a fairly easy straightforward project, care must be taken to ensure that hot water heaters, furnaces, piping and chimneys are still vented properly to avoid a build up of dangerous gases. One area of concern for air leakage is at the ceiling and the top of walls. Warm air rises and settles at the bottom of the ceiling; if the insulation level is inadequate on the floor of the attic then the chance for moisture buildup is greater.
• There are many different insulation options, including blown, batten, spray foam, foam board, airtight drywall and structural insulating panels. All offer good moisture resistance and reduced air leakage. They have different R levels, installation methods and some are even designated for specific areas of the attic and ceiling.

Today since most home’s roof lines don’t fit a cookie-cutter mold, it’s important to enlist the services of a knowledgeable and reputable firm when you begin your Atlanta home renovations. Contact us at Renewal Design-Build for more information.