You have a flashlight in your hands; headlamps are on, and your old hood will do just fine as a dust shield. You are going to discover how the attic of your house steals energy from your family. It should be done once a year. You may consider this procedure to be a mandatory check at your place that your pocket will appreciate.

First of all, climbing the hatch is quite an obstacle. You surely will need good footwear to perform this procedure. You should not be walking on drywall or insulation – only wooden joists are allowed.

Using your flashlight to scan the attic floor, you can discover the quality of insulation based on its thickness and fluffiness. The thinness and flatness of the insulation means high heating expenses in the winter. Imagine your house wearing a thin T-shirt in the blizzard.

Pink fiberglass batts should be sticking out like grass that is charged with electricity. It should not be compressed due to moisture and people’s foot pressure. Throwing handfuls of itchy glass into your face is inevitable. You will have to put on a disposable N95 mask.

The blown-in cellulose insulation will be seen as gray confetti. Over time it moves down and gets compressed. Make sure that there are no bare spots, where the plywood deck is visible. The wind flowing through the eaves will actually transport it.

True facts can be discovered when you see the gaps in the ceiling. The pot lights and old wiring chases are real energy thieves. The hot air goes straight through the gaps to enter the roof space. This constant movement increases your heating expenses significantly.

The rulers will help you to obtain accurate measurements. Pushing the ruler against the joist, you can determine how many inches it goes. It should reach 10-14 inches. In any other case, you should start the discussion of your investment plans.

Even a quick flashlight inspection will give you crucial information. Pay attention to the dark spots around the chimney and fans. The dust decal creates a gray layer in places of highest airflow. It signals the major heat loss.

Honestly speaking, attic inspection is not a very pleasant thing to do. It is hot, crowded and smells like old wood. However, it is the most important one. At times, the best defense is keeping the heat inside.

This way, you will feel comfortable during cold winters. Your AC will not lose the battle in July. Moreover, it will save your money to buy snacks and play games. Go and check it now. Do your homework afterwards.