Systèmes Éconergie Q&A

Air can escape from several sources within the attic: 

- Holes mades for cables and pipes. 
- Attic access traps. 
- Space around the chimney. 
- Can lights. 
- The joints in the upper part of the walls between the drywall and the frame. 
 
Insulating the attic without sealing air leaks will reduce the effect of the insulation, as the escaping air will interact with the insulation.

A badly insulated attic creates conditions that promote allergens like mold or pests carrying dust, due to increased moisture, potentially worsening allergies in individuals. Proper air sealing and insulation are essential to reduce these allergy triggers. 

The lifespan depends on the insulation material and quality. In general, it can last up to 80 years, though it tends to lose its energy efficiency benefits with time. It is always advisable to inspect your insulation from time to time to ensure that it is still performing the job. 

The ideal thermal value for most Quebec climates is R60. This value corresponds to approximately 17” of our TrueSoft cellulose fiber insulation. 
 
In fact, if there is not enough insulation, cold or hot air can always change the temperature of the ceiling which will reduce residential comfort.

Insulate with flame-mold-pest retardant blown cellulose, eliminate bacteria and mold, cover the access door with an adequate insulation specially designed for attic doors, seal air leaks, cover can lights with a protective box to block air leaks and eliminate the risk of fire, seal around fittings, seal around the chimney, install a duct encapsulation system, ventilate the bathroom through an external duct, installation of a radiant barrier to preserve the heat, and more! 

We have a complete line of products specifically designed to seal and insulate your attic and to eliminate all sources of discomfort and energy loss.

While having insulation in the attic is beneficial for residential comfort and the energy efficiency of the home, an excessive amount of insulation can lead to bad consequences, similarly to insufficient insulation (humidity, abnormal temperatures). 

Always consult a professional and make sure you have the required amount of insulation in your attic. 

The attic with poor sealing, or poor insulation, will not stop the draft within the house. 
 
Drafts are created by cold air entering from lower levels of the house, and warm air exiting from higher levels. 
 
So with poor insulation, one alternative is to use the heater/air conditioner more in order to counteract the draft. As a result, the energy bill will increase.

1) Heated air leaking through holes and joints causes uncomfortable drafts in the house.

2) The ducts cause energy losses because they cool the air that is heated before it even goes into the rooms that you need to heat.

3) The space between the chimney and the wood construction is a large opening that causes major air leaks.

4) The access hatch is the largest hole in the top of the house, which causes a large gap in the insulation.

5) Can lights are installed in holes, allowing air to circulate easily around bulbs, through the housing, and through other openings. In addition, regular insulation can not be in direct contact with the can light because they represent a fire hazard. We have a case specially designed for this problem and our insulation is flame retardant!

6) Whole house fans constantly let air leaks escape into the attic. A drywall or an insulated box solves the problem.

7) Bathroom fans venting air into the attic increase moisture and humidity levels, fueling bacteria and mold.

8) Ice damming happens when heat leaks into the attic, which warms the roof and melts the snow. The water drifts to the eaves where it freeze again. When the water gets stuck, it seeps under the shingles, causing damage to the house.

9) The striking sun in summer causes extreme heat in the attic that radiates and increases temperatures, causing the air conditioner to work harder.

10) The quantity and quality of insulation are important factors in controlling attic temperatures. Ideally, it should be more than 18 degrees in winter and less than 24 degrees in summer. This is possible thanks to a cellulose fiber blown insulation.

When the attic is badly insulated, the warm air of your house rises to the attic and escapes through openings and holes, and warms the roof. The snow on the roof melts and the water flows to the gutters where it will freeze again. This phenomenon will happen as long as the air leaks are not stopped. The more water freezes, the more ice dams will form. These can cause big water problems in the house because the water that melts can not be evacuated and will infiltrate under the shingles and interstices.

This problem can easily be solved if the attic is adequately insulated and the gaps are sealed to eliminate heat leaks and to control the temperature of the attic.

check for spelling mistakes: The R value represents a material's ability to insulate heat. In other words, it indicates how resistant a material is to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the material provides thermal insulation. This means it helps keep warmth inside during winter and maintains coolness inside during summer. 

Cellulose fiber has a higher R-value than fiberglass insulation (respectively R 3.7/inch and R 3.0/inch), making it more efficient. Additionally, and for most of Quebec’s regions, approximately 17 inches of cellulose insulation need to be blown into the attic to achieve thermal value of R60. 

A bad odor could indicate the presence of mold, moisture. It's important to have your attic inspected by a professional to identify and resolve the issue.

Mold is a bacteria that thrives in moist, humid and organic places. The warm air that rises into the attic and condenses due to poor insulation makes the attic damp. The humidity and wood that forms the attic provide the ideal conditions for mold to spread.

We can solve this problem with Mold-X2 Stain Remover and Antimicrobial and with proper attic insulation to control temperatures and humidity.