Rough brutal Summers

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 26 Jul 2024, 13:07

The past couple of years have been brutal---the average temps inside the house reliably climb to the high 90's.
The AC has been checked out, pads cleaned coils washed down, dual pain windows installed, black-out curtains hung, shade trees planted along
the West wall and still the power bill is ridiculous and the house like an oven.
So I called an insulation contractor for his opinion (A+ rating with the BBB) and he came by this morning and took pictures. The insulation circa 1971
had settled to about 1"thick, all the 2x4s were showing through the insulation.
It only takes a day (and of course $$) to bring it up to R-38
I can't wait and neither can Suzelle((the poor girl is starting to caramelize!)

Del · Post by **Del** » 26 Jul 2024, 14:49

I'm a bit surprised that checking the insulation wasn't the very first thing you tried.

But I live in Wisconsin. Most of us know the status of our insulation enough to carry on conversations about it.

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 26 Jul 2024, 15:26

I asked about the insulation some time ago and was told the service life expectancy in my area was 80 years for the pink fiberglass stuff.
Apparently not.

sweetandsour · Post by **sweetandsour** » 27 Jul 2024, 03:12

I don't know your house, of course, but your post reminds me of our first house, a 1000 sq ft, hip roof, with thin siding and no insulation. On hot afternoons the a/c could not keep up, and I could touch the west wall on the inside with the back of my hand and feel the heat.
I ended up ripping off the paneling, attaching roll type insulation between the studs, and going back with Sheetrock, texture and paint. Meantime though, on hot afternoons I would cool the a/c unit with cool spray from the water hose, and also spray water onto the roof to cool the attic, which helped greatly.

coco · Post by **coco** » 27 Jul 2024, 10:34

Mineral Wool insulation (Rock Wool) costs more up front, but it barely settles at all. If you are trying to make a quick profit on a house, go with fiberglass. Otherwise, go with mineral wool.

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 27 Jul 2024, 11:15

coco wrote: ↑27 Jul 2024, 10:34 Mineral Wool insulation (Rock Wool) costs more up front, but it barely settles at all. If you are trying to make a quick profit on a house, go with fiberglass. Otherwise, go with mineral wool.

I'd go with mineral wool if I had the bucks.