Can you store things on top of insulation?

Adding storage will damage the insulation you added to the attic in the first place. Loose-fill insulation such as cellulose or fiberglass and blankets of fiberglass known as "batts" use the air trapped in small pockets or gaps in between the fibers or cells of the insulation to restrict heat transfer.

rrstar.com - Homefix: Using the attic for storage

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Dwight Barnett

Q: While having insulation added to our attic, the company told us not to store anything in the attic. We have a one-car garage and a yard barn, but no other place to store things. Is there a good reason not to use the attic space?

A: An attic space is not the ideal place for storage.

In the Midwest, an attic space can reach temperatures of 140 degrees in the summer. In the South, I would imagine the temperatures would be higher. Paper, plastics and even wood items can be damaged by the excessive and prolonged heat. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun will penetrate the attic and damage personal belongings. The attic floor may not be capable of holding the added weight of the stored items. For instance, a garage attic is generally designed to support only the weight of a drywall-covered ceiling. Even the added weight of a garage door and opener can sometimes cause the ceiling joists to bow. The attic space above the home can hold some additional weight, but you need to know where to place the stored items to prevent damage to the ceilings below. In most homes that would be the center of the attic where the ceiling joists overlap a hall wall. Adding storage will damage the insulation you added to the attic in the first place. Loose-fill insulation such as cellulose or fiberglass and blankets of fiberglass known as "batts" use the air trapped in small pockets or gaps in between the fibers or cells of the insulation to restrict heat transfer. When you place heavy objects on the insulation, the cells are pushed together and you lose the air space between the cells. This prevents the insulation from doing its job of slowing the transfer of warm or cold air. To use the attic for storage, you should have the attic inspected by a professional contractor, carpenter or home inspector to see if the attic floor can support additional weight. If they determine the attic is suitable for storage, you then add 2- by 8-inch or 2- by 10-inch floor joists on top of and positioned perpendicular to the ceiling joists to raise the attic's floor height by 8 to 10 inches. The spaces between the new joists are filled with insulation and then plywood or oriented strand board flooring can be added to create a solid floor. To prevent ultraviolet-radiation damage, a reflective radiant barrier can be installed attached to the bottom of the roof's rafters, or sheets of aluminized bubble-wrap insulation can be layered over the storage area to reflect the UV rays away from the attic space. Do not block the airflow from the soffit vents to the roof vents. Venting is important for the control of heat and humidity and will prolong the usefulness of roof shingles. Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector. Contact him at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 268, Evansville, Ind. 47702 or barnett@barnettassociatesinc.com.

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What temperature should I keep my house to save money?

Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away. Lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce your annual heating expenses by as much as 10 percent.

constellation.com - Best Thermostat Temperatures & Settings for Summer & Winter

What Temperature Should You Set Your Heater’s Thermostat to in the Winter?

Preparing your home for winter can bring feelings of stress and an urgency to be prepared. But no matter how prepared your home is, you will still need to make a decision about the temperature at which to set your thermostat. The ideal thermostat temperature in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home. Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you’re awake at home but recommends lowering it while you’re asleep or away. Lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce your annual heating expenses by as much as 10 percent. That’s a potential savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the if the temperature is lowered for at least eight hours. EnergyHub says that for each degree you lower your heat, you can save 3 percent or more on heating costs. Popular Science agrees 68 degrees is a normal temperature for the winter and suggests layering clothing as a way to stay warm in the cooler house temperature.