Adding more insulation to attic

Has anyone done this? From what I have read in the reviews the AttiCat by owens corning seems to be the blown in type of choice. I need to do this as the recent heat is taking a toll on the cooling system. Comments, suggestions, anyone wanting to bitch about something?

OZ?

 

More insulation is always better , but be careful if you have potlights to make sure they are the correct type and able to be covered with insulation

 

Is the air handler in the attic? Is the ductwork insulated?

 

Keep clear of the soffit vents so they won't get covered.

 

Had it done at a reduced rate by a govt subsidy for regional electric provider. If I had electric heat it would have been free! However im LP heat so the cost was just reduced. we had 6-8" when we purchased house. Its now well over 18" deep and the r value is much higher. I looked into using the "attic cat" for the owens corning since home derp would let you have machine for free if you purchase "x" amount of the insulation. I wouldnt suggest doing it your self this time of year, it will be miserable up there and the pros arent much more xpensive. Can say its a good investment. Noticed better heat retention in winter less ac cycling in summer.

 

Yeah the blow in they installed when the house was built has sunk down. A/C guy said something about it when they installed a new unit a month ago. Of course I'm not gonna pay them $2000 to blow in insulation. I don't have any can lights so no issue there. Any suggestions on how much to put in that would be too much or less or rather wasting money. I know that I need to keep the areas around the soffit's open so air can move through to the ridge line vents.

BTW I have read before about venting an attic and wondered if this may be wrong. It has the soffit vents along the front and back of the house but also has vents on each end of the house. Do the two venting types interfere with each other? I was also wondering would it be to my advantage to go with a powered vent in the attic of some type to help with cooling up there. The roof has black shingles so that doesn't help one bit either. Teach me here OZ what would be my best thing to do here. I know it needs the insulation but, anything else?

 

What kind of roofing is it ?

 

No it's in the hallway. Brand new 2.5 ton unit installed a month ago.

Yeah I knew that. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Make sure your walls are properly insulated.

Insulate the attic and you trap the head that radiates through the walls.
Real nice in the winter... in the summer you just made yourself a nice oven.

 

If you have good ventilation then you will have a lesser chance at mold and mildew. Attics need to stay dry. I thought that the gable vents werent helping me in the winter by letting radiant heat escape. looked around online and found that if not vented moisture cant escape and cause big issues.

 

Standard 3 tab asphalt shingles.

 

subd

 

The gable vents are higher than the soffit vents, which promotes air circulation... heat rises, exits the gable vents, and draws fresh air in the soffits.

To help promote this, install an attic fan on one of the gable vents (I'd recommend on the "hot" side of the house, so either the south or west depending on the orientation).

 

Yeah from what I've read about building it was one system or the other but not a combination of soffit/ridge vents and also gable vents too.

 

So what are the ridge line vents doing then?

 

That's a good call

 

Same thing as the gable vents, but it's a lot easier to install one gable vent fan than it is to wire up 150 computer case fans to the ridge

Seriously though... the whole idea is to promote airflow bringing the hot air up and out, drawing in cooler air from closer to the ground (and maybe a shaded area).

 

Are you saying you have ridge vents AND gable vents ?

 

Id like to see that!

 

Except I fucked up and likely confused him...