Georgia Magazine - November 2024 - 37

RM | HOME COMFORT
Find Hidden Energy Savings
and Extra Storage in Your Attic
By Miranda Boutelle
Q: Do you have any tips on finding hidden energy savings in
my home?
A: I've been in a lot of homes. One common hiding spot for energy
savings is the attic. It is also a common location for storing holiday
decorations and infrequently used sentimental items.
Yet, using your attic for storage can be problematic when trying
to maximize your home's energy efficiency. Let's explore how you
can improve insulation levels and properly store items in your attic.
Attic insulation is one of the best low-cost ways to make your
home efficient. People often associate insulation with keeping your
home warmer in the winter, but it also provides benefits in the summer.
Insulation reduces heat transfer from the attic to the house,
which lowers energy bills for air conditioning and makes your home
more comfortable.
Attic insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measurement
of how well a material resists the flow of heat. For attic insulation,
thicker is better. The recommended R-value is typically between
R-38 and R-60, depending on your climate. Hawaii and the southernmost
tips of Florida and Texas
recommend R-30. Measured in inches,
that ranges from around 10 to 20
inches, depending on the type of insulation
you have. In most homes, the
ceiling joists are buried in insulation
to achieve the recommended R-value.
The problem with attic storage is it
typically doesn't offer enough space
for the recommended R-value. Often,
plywood or boards are placed directly
on top of the ceiling joists, which isn't
enough space for the insulation. Insulation
can get compacted by people
moving items in or out, reducing the
effective R-value.
Ideally, the attic would not be
used for storage so it can be properly
insulated, but that's not feasible for
everyone. Here are some strategies for
maintaining attic storage and recommended
insulation levels.
The best location for attic storage
is over an unconditioned area of your
home, such as the garage. You don't
need insulation in attic spaces over a
garage or unconditioned area because
you are not heating or cooling the
space below. This makes it the perfect
spot to tuck away items for storage.
If that isn't an option, consider
minimizing the number of stored
Attic ladder
Joists
Insulation
items or the storage area's footprint. A great way to do this is by
building an attic storage platform. A raised platform allows the
space underneath it to be fully insulated. These platforms are
available in ready-to-install kits, or you can buy materials and build
them yourself.
Allow enough space underneath the platform to achieve the
proper R-value. Use lumber to build a frame perpendicular to the
existing joists and cover it with plywood or oriented strand board.
Once your storage area is set up, add insulation inside the platform
to bring the R-value up to the proper level.
Your attic might also have trusses that allow you to build shelves
and maximize space by storing items vertically.
Always wear a dust mask or respirator when working in the attic.
Don't forget to weatherstrip the attic hatch to ensure a tight seal.
Take a look around your attic to see if you can find any hidden
opportunities for energy savings.
Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services
Group in Oregon. She has more than 20 years of experience helping
people save energy at home, and she writes on energy efficiency topics
for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Attic Storage Platform
Raised wooden platform
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Georgia Magazine - November 2024

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