I used to think that the attic of my home was strictly for storing things. I’ve since realized that the attic is designed to create a barrier against the weather. To protect against heat, cold and humidity, it needs to be properly insulated. Heating and air conditioning is responsible for around 50% of household energy consumption. I was spending a small fortune to maintain a comfortable temperature during the middle of winter and summer. When I hired an HVAC contractor to service the furnace, I complained over the cost of the heating bills. He asked about the attic and I admitted that the insulation was over twenty years old. When I checked it out, the insulation had obviously been compromised by moisture and rodents. While replacing the insulation was a labor-intensive and unpleasant task, it was most definitely worthwhile. I’ve trimmed my heating and cooling costs by 15%. I’ve read that insulation in the attic helps to avoid damage as a result of heat and moisture. It stops water vapor from seeping into and degrading the walls. It slows down the buildup of heat in the attic which can lead to issues with the shingles and reduces the growth of mold and mildew. There’s also less chance of ice dams forming from snow melting and refreezing on the roof’s edge. I’ve noticed that the house is much cleaner since upgrading the insulation. There’s less dust, pollen and other contaminants getting inside and negatively impacting air quality. I don’t need to dust and vacuum as often, and my kids have had fewer allergy symptoms.