New homes keep going up in Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Ellenton and the rest of our area. A lot of new owners are surprised when their brand-new house has a hot upstairs or an AC that runs all afternoon. Often, the attic insulation is part of the reason.
What builder-grade usually means
Builders have to meet the energy code, and many do exactly that and no more. The insulation may meet the minimum on paper, but it’s often blown in fast, with thinner spots near the edges and around the AC unit. And because it’s the minimum, there’s usually room to add more.
Signs your newer home could use more
- The upstairs is much hotter than the downstairs
- Bonus rooms over the garage are hard to keep cool
- The AC runs long cycles even though it’s new
- Insulation looks thin or uneven from the attic hatch
- Your bills are higher than you expected for a new home
Our post on why your upstairs is so hot covers this in more detail.
Two-story homes and bonus rooms
Many newer homes are two stories, and the upstairs sits right under the hottest part of the house. Rooms over the garage get heat from both the attic above and the garage below. Topping off the attic and insulating the garage ceiling can make a big difference. See our post on garage insulation in Florida.
Topping off a newer attic
The good news is that newer insulation is usually dry and clean, so there’s no need to remove it. We measure what’s there, then blow new insulation on top to bring the whole attic to an even, deeper layer. It’s usually a one-day job. Learn more on our attic blown-in insulation page.
Common questions
Will adding insulation void my builder warranty? Check your warranty paperwork. Adding insulation on top of what’s there is a common upgrade, but your builder’s terms are what count.
Should I wait a few years? There’s no need. If the house is hot now, adding insulation now means you’re comfortable sooner.
How much should I add? For our climate zone, ENERGY STAR suggests about R-49 total in attics. See what R-value a Florida attic needs.
Get your newer home checked
REINSULATE is a veteran-owned, fully insured insulation company serving Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Sarasota and the rest of Manatee County. Request your free estimate or call or text 941-705-0305.
