The 7 mistakes that turn your attic into a freezer...or sauna!

We all know that the attic is often the part of the house we forget about... until the energy bills skyrocket or the indoor temperature becomes difficult to manage. If poorly insulated, it can turn your home into a polar freezer in winter or a stifling sauna in summer.
Here are the 7 most common mistakes that ruin the comfort of your home and how to avoid them.

1. Thinking that “more insulation = always better”
   Many people believe that adding a layer of insulation on top of the old one is enough. Bad idea! Because if the attic is not airtight, heat will continue to escape as if nothing had changed. As a result, you will have wasted money and still not be comfortable.
2. Forgetting to seal air leaks
   An attic can be full of small, invisible openings (around light fixtures, ducts, hatches). Even with high-performance insulation, these mini-holes act as highways for heat. Caulk first, then insulate!
3. Keeping old insulation “because it's still there”
   Compacted wool, damp cellulose, dirty or moldy insulation... it doesn't insulate much anymore. Worse, it can promote moisture and mold. If your insulation is more than 20 years old, it deserves a well-earned retirement.

4. Neglecting attic ventilation
   An attic must be insulated AND ventilated. Otherwise, you'll end up with condensation, odors, mold, and ice dams. It's a delicate balance: too little air means humidity, and too much air means heat loss.

5. Believing that attic insulation is only useful in winter
   This is a classic mistake. In summer, without adequate insulation, the heat from the roof turns the attic into an oven... and raises the temperature of the whole house.

6. Thinking it's an “easy DIY” project

   We can see you coming with your rolls of insulation from the big box store. Unfortunately, poorly installed insulation is often worse than no insulation at all. It only leads to air leaks, poorly covered areas, and humidity. It's better to leave it to the pros.

7. Waiting for problems to arise before taking action
   Ice dams, odors, rising bills... At this point, it's already too late. Preventive diagnostics cost much less than emergency repairs.

    

   In conclusion, a neglected attic can quickly become a major weak point in your home, both in terms of comfort and energy efficiency. The most common mistakes, whether it's aging insulation, poor airtightness, or inadequate ventilation, always end up translating into higher bills, daily discomfort, and sometimes even costly long-term damage.

    

   The good news is that with a professional approach and solutions tailored to your home, these problems can be effectively prevented or corrected. A preventive inspection of your attic, combined with high-performance, durable insulation such as TruSoft® blown cellulose, not only optimizes your comfort in all seasons, but also protects the value of your home and reduces your energy footprint.

   At Systèmes Éconergie, our goal is simple: to provide you with a healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient home, winter and summer alike.