Insulate Your Attic with Energy Care Insulation

Installation Instructions

Follow these step by step instructions to insulate your attic with Energy Care Insulation.

1. Calculate how much Energy Care Insulation you will need.
   Determine the recommended R-Value for the region in which you live from the Department of Energy's recommendation. Calculate the square footage of your attic, then locate the coverage chart on the Energy Care Insulation bag. This chart will tell you how many bags of Energy Care Insulation you need to install and how many inches of coverage you need.
2. Determine if you have enough ventilation in your attic.
   Attics must be properly ventilated to remove moisture and heat. Normally, a combination of soffit vents under the eaves and roof ventilation (consisting of a ridge vent or roof vents) provides very good ventilation. Older houses may require gable vents. Attics should have one square foot of under-eave vent opening and one square foot of roof or ridge vent opening for each 150 square feet of attic area. If you need to add vents, do so before insulating.
3. Install attic baffles and insulation blockers if necessary.
   To aid ventilation, attic baffles or air chutes should be installed at least every other rafter or truss cavity. These allow air to move from the soffit vents, over the insulation to the roof or ridge vents. To prevent insulation from blocking soffit vents, insulation blockers should be placed on top of the exterior wall top plates.
   
4. Prepare the attic.
   The following items should be addressed before insulating: Recessed lights, furnace flues, heating vents, chimneys and other heat sources in the attic MUST BE PROTECTED. Install metal or other rigid barriers around heat sources with clearances of at least 3 inches. Heat trapped by any type of insulation can be a fire hazard. Recessed lights marked "IC" may be covered with insulation.
   • Measure and mark several rafters or trusses at the height of installed insulation you determined earlier, to act as guides during installation.
   • Install a rigid barrier around the attic access hole to prevent insulation from falling out when you open the attic door. This barrier should be as tall as the installed insulation height.
   • You may install Energy Care Insulation over existing insulation. If you insulate over batts with paper facing, the facing should be slashed in several places between every joist to avoid moisture entrapment.
5. Prepare to Insulate.
   Insulating is a two person job, with one person in the attic and one person by the blower. In addition to purchasing Energy Care Insulation and borrowing or renting a blower, you should do the following.
   • Gather a heavy duty 12-gauge extension cord(s), a tarp to place under the blower, a dust mask and safety goggles, and a measuring device to monitor insulation depth.
   • Place the blower on the tarp on a level surface in your garage or driveway. Plug in the blower to a 110-volt outlet with the extension cord (some machines require two outlets on separate circuits). Attach the hose to the blower, and run the hose to the attic.
   • DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS, FEET OR CLOTHING INSIDE THE BLOWER HOPPER AT ANY TIME UNLESS THE POWER IS DISCONNECTED.
6. Install Energy Care Insulation. Follow the instructions on the blower (or provided by the retailer) for proper operation of the blower.
   • Turn on the blower and pour the first bag of Energy Care Insulation into the hopper.
   • Begin insulating at the farthest corner from the attic access hole and work back to the hole. Be careful to step only on the ceiling joists or a board placed across the ceiling joists, and not on the drywall.
   • Hold the hose approximately 1 foot above the installed insulation and try to maintain an even installation depth.
   • Use all the bags you calculated to obtain the desired R-Value. Insulate the access hole cover or door with batt or foam insulation.

Insulate Your Sidewalls with Energy Care Insulation.

Follow these step by step instructions to insulate your sidewalls with Energy Care Insulation.

1. Calculate how much Energy Care Insulation you will need.
   Determine the square footage and thickness of your sidewalls, then locate the coverage chart on the Energy Care Insulation bag. This chart will tell you how many bags of Energy Care Insulation you need to install.
2. Prepare the sidewalls.
   You can insulate from either the inside or outside of the walls. Insulating can be messy and dusty. Inside installation will require more cleanup and wall repair. If you install from the outside, you may choose to drill through the siding, or remove it. Drill two 2-inch holes per story in each stud run. The bottom hole should be 24" above the bottom plate, and the top hole should be 18" below the top plate. Be sure to drill above doors and above and below windows.
3. Prepare to Insulate.
   Insulating is a two person job, with one person holding the end of the hose and one person by the blower. In addition to purchasing Energy Care Insulation and borrowing or renting a blower, you should do the following.
   • Gather a heavy duty 12-gauge extension cord(s), a tarp to place under the blower, a dust mask and safety goggles, and a piece of cloth to cover the holes.
   • Place the blower on the tarp on a level surface in your garage or driveway. Plug in the blower to a 110-volt outlet with the extension cord (some machines require two outlets on separate circuits). Attach the hose to the blower.
   • DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS, FEET OR CLOTHING INSIDE THE BLOWER HOPPER AT ANY TIME UNLESS THE POWER IS DISCONNECTED.
4. Install Energy Care Insulation.
   Follow the instructions on the blower (or provided by the retailer) for proper operation of the blower.
   • Turn on the blower and pour the first bag of Energy Care Insulation into the hopper.
   • Blow insulation into the bottom hole first. Cover the top hole with cloth while filling the bottom hole to allow air, but not insulation, to escape. Fill until the insulation stops flowing through the hose. Next blow insulation through the top hole until full.
   • You may insert plugs in the holes and/or cover them over with siding (outside) or drywall patch (inside).

Congratulations! You have installed Energy Care Insulation.

Please empty the blowing machine and return it to your retailer. Enjoy the added comfort, quietness, and energy savings provided by Energy Care Insulation.