[mfp509]

With the current cold wave we are having I am wondering about the amount of insulation in my attic and would like to have it checked and get an estimate of upgrading. I called Suncoast Insulators in Ocala and the representative who called me back was a complete DUD. I can't believe they would have a "salesman" like this. It was like pulling teeth to get an answer from him and then it was a one word dead end answer. He acted like he didn't know anything about their product. Has anyone used any companies for insulation purposes or those who have used Suncoast, do you have a contact person so I could ask for someone specific? Thanks.

[kaydee]

I also was concerned about the insulation in attic and wondered if more should be added. Last year we had an energy audit done by SECO and I questioned the inspector about this very issue and he indicated that what we had was sufficient. We bought a resale home and to my knowledge the insulation up there is not upgraded so it's what came with the buiding pkg being standard. Hope this helps....and hopefully it will be warming up soon. We've had enough.

[saratogaman]

It probably depends on when your house was built and what the building code was at that time. For example, our house in The Villages was built in 2006. At that time the code called for R-11 in the walls and R-38 in the ceilings. If the walls feel cold tonight, you do not have enough insulation.
A bigger problem here is the windows: even the double-paned windows are not very good. The dead-air space between panes is minimal...the greater the space, the less the heat loss. You can overcome that deficiency with good window treatments: plantation shutters, accordion roll-up blinds, etc. For example, we have plantation shutters. If you open them up at night in this weather, you can immediately feel a blast of cold air: proof of their heat-loss blocking.
I hope this is helpful.

[mfp509]

I finally got to speak with a good rep of Suncoast Insulators and they are coming out Friday to take a look and give me an estimate. According to my official building specs, my villa built in 2003 has R 19 blown insulation in the living area ceiling and R 11 batt in the walls. Research I have done recommends R 38 in ceiling - that should be quite an improvement. I will do the entire attic area and include the garage - I am estimating about $1300 (on the low side). I'll see how close I am.

[batman911]

I'm no insulation expert for sure (Hawaii last 40+ years - home has no insulation what so ever) but I believe the R11 walls and R38 ceiling code in Florida is primarily directed at summer heat insulation. Winter cold comes from the sides as well as the ceiling so the R11 will still leave you feeling the cold. You will not benefit significantly from only upgrading the ceiling insulation except from the heat from the sun. Just my thoughts.

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by batman911

I'm no insulation expert for sure (Hawaii last 40+ years - home has no insulation what so ever) but I believe the R11 walls and R38 ceiling code in Florida is primarily directed at summer heat insulation. Winter cold comes from the sides as well as the ceiling so the R11 will still leave you feeling the cold. You will not benefit significantly from only upgrading the ceiling insulation except from the heat from the sun. Just my thoughts.

I agree with batman911. The insulation in Florida is primarily for the summer heat. Upgrading for winter cold would probably not benefit you much. You do need some air movement in the summer too prevent mold and moisture buildup so there is a point in which adding insulation becomes unrealistic... especially if you have air leaks around doors and windows. Have a local HVAC company check to see if what you have is sufficient and consider their recommendations.

[TomW]

I think I have R30 in the ceiling and R19 in the walls. Home was built in 2007 and recently inspected. There is no insulation above the garage and I understand this can make a great deal of difference. Anxious to see more comments on this topic.

[golfnut]

tomw, can u elaborate on the great deal of difference having no insulation over the garage area makes....gn

[faithfulfrank]

I bought my home in Florida about 3 years ago. It had R-19 in the ceilings.

Last year I checked 3 different fiberglass blown in insulators. All three were within pennies of each other on the estimate. If I remember correctly I picked Suncoast Insulators. I'm at work now, so I cannot check for sure.......but I will.

First, MAKE SURE you know the square footage of your home. look at your blueprints. If you have scissor trusses you may need to add some to the total to allow for pitch, or just measure the square footage of the ceilings.

Second, make sure WHAT they are blowing in. I wanted and got the better white fluffy fiberglass that is not that itchy. I now forgot the trade name of it.

Then see online how much coverage each bag does. THAT IS IMPORTANT. You will be charged by your square footage......make sure there is not a discrepancy with the bags. Look in the truck first to make sure they do not have any empty bags, then COUNT the bags they use. They tried to short me. They were done VERY fast, like in 30 minutes........it looked good up there, and I KNEW the number of bags that should have been blown because my measurements were exact. They were like 4 bags short. That was alot! Plus, I specifically told them NOT to do over my Lanai because I planned on taking down the ceiling. They ended up doing my lanai, which will now be a HUGE MESS because of what they did.

We had some words. They shorted me. Imagine if they short each customer a couple of bags......

They demanded payment. I wrote them a check deducting the amount of coverage that the shorted bags would be. They told me that they could not take a lower amount back to the boss. I said fine....you better get back up there and blow in 4 more bags. They agreed.

How many people do the research to see what the coverage is supposed to be? How many folks know the square footage of their ceilings? I was not paying for a cheap job. In fact, they first quoted me for R-38. I wanted a bit more, and had them figure for R-50. They told me I was thinking like a northerner and I did not need that much. I replied that I was happy to pay more......that is what I wanted.

I designed and built my own house up here in NY, and I understand there is a law of diminishing return with insulation. For my house, the difference between R-38 and R-50 was only like $150. None of us know what utility costs will be in the future, and I felt that if I got R-50 I would not need to have this done again down the road when or if the standards go higher. It also gave me bragging rights in the neighborhood.

Bottom line is that heat rises......so more insulation would help in the winter to retain the heat, as well as helping in the summer to insulate against a hot attic.

Another thing to remember is that ventilation is just as important as insulation, especially in the summer. You need adequate ventilation to keep your attic cooler and to not prematurely degrade your shingles.

Anyway......I think there was another insulation company with the name bear in it that I now wish I would have gone with. I will double check tomorrow as to who I used, but I am 98% sure it was Suncoast. I ended up with a good job with the right amount of insulation, but I should not have had to fight for it. And now it will be a huge pain to remodel my Lanai

Oh, BTW, unless your house is 3x the size of mine, it should cost WAY less then $1300. My home is smaller, around 1500 square feet, and the cost was under $600 for R-50

Frank

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by golfnut

tomw, can u elaborate on the great deal of difference having no insulation over the garage area makes....gn

Insulating over the garage will keep the garage considerably (10-15 degrees) cooler in the summer but won't affect the rest of the house much.

[golfnut]

thanks ooper, does anyone know if home depot or lowes has the blown in insulation and if they rent out the blower unit....gn

[mfp509]

I saw the machine at Lowe's and I imagine Home Depot would have one to rent also.

[Ooper]

I think they both do. Home Depot has a huge rental department at the north end of the store for other items also.