Attic Insulation & Air Sealing in Lancaster, PA

Attic insulation and air sealing work as a pair. Warm air rises and leaks into the attic through every opening in the ceiling below, carrying heat and moisture with it. Insulation alone slows heat moving through it but does little against air moving around and through it. So we close the leaks first and then add insulation to depth. Done in that order, the house holds heat in winter, stays cooler upstairs in summer, and the roof stays colder, which cuts ice at the eaves.

Zone 5 depth

Lancaster County sits in Pennsylvania's central Zone 5 group in Penn State's summary of the state's alternative energy provisions. ENERGY STAR's recommendation for an existing attic in zone 5 is R-60 when it holds no insulation, and adding R-49 when three to four inches are already in place. In loose fill that means a deep layer, well over a foot, since HomeGuide puts blown fiberglass around R-2.2 to R-2.9 per inch and cellulose around R-3.1 to R-3.8.

The leaks we close

Plumbing vents and wiring run through holes drilled bigger than they need to be. Recessed lights and ceiling boxes leak around and through. Bath fans often dump into the attic rather than outdoors. Top plates of interior walls leave a seam along every wall. The hatch or pull-down ladder is usually bare. Chimneys and flues leave gaps that we close with sheet metal and fire-rated sealant, never foam against the flue. In older Lancaster houses there are also open chases, balloon-framed wall tops and soffits over cabinets that open straight into the attic.

Old wiring and old fill

Many city and borough attics hold layers from different eras, sometimes over knob-and-tube wiring. Insulation must not bury live knob-and-tube; an electrician should check or replace it first. Some attics hold vermiculite, which can contain asbestos; we do not disturb it and recommend testing. We flag both on the visit.

Rowhome attics

Rowhomes often have shallow attics or none at all, with a low-slope roof above the top floor. Where there is a crawlable space, we seal and insulate the floor. Where there is no access, options are limited to what can be done from below or during a roof replacement, and we tell you honestly what is practical.

PPL attic rebate

PPL's current insulation rebate form lists an attic insulation rebate for qualifying homes with electric heat or central air, with the condition that the new R-value exceeds the old one. Check the form and your eligibility before work starts.

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