This view up into an attic may look familiar, but it’s not an indicator of efficiency in action. The hatch door should be insulated, and the stored materials should be on a raised platform to allow space for more attic insulation.
Photo by Mark Gilliland
Q: Do you have any tips on finding hidden energy savings in my home?
A: Energy savings may be hiding in your attic, right there next to the holiday decorations, the infrequently used sentimental items and the junk you know in your heart you should discard.
But if you want to maximize your home’s energy efficiency, using your attic for storage may not be the best idea—unless it’s done correctly. Let’s explore how you can improve insulation levels and properly store items.
Attic insulation is one of the best low-cost ways to make your home efficient. It helps keep your home warmer in the winter, and it provides benefits in the summer by reducing heat transfer from the attic to the house, lowering energy bills for air conditioning and making your home more comfortable.
Attic insulation is measured in R-value, a measurement of how well a material resists the flow of heat. Thicker is better. The recommended R-value is typically between R-38 and R-60, depending on your climate. In most homes, the ceiling joists are buried in insulation to achieve the recommended R-value.
Here’s the problem with attic storage: It typically doesn’t offer enough space for the recommended R-value. Plywood or boards are often placed directly on top of the ceiling joists, which doesn’t leave enough space for the insulation. Insulation can get compacted by people moving items in or out, reducing the effective R-value.
The best location for attic storage is over an unconditioned area of your home, such as the garage. You don’t need attic insulation over a garage or other 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 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 for insulation to achieve the proper R-value underneath the platform. 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.
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.
Miranda Boutelle works with Efficiency Services Group, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company.