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Old 07-01-2011, 08:41 AM
 
Location: Spring
1,105 posts, read 2,561,674 times
Reputation: 446

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Hey guys,

Question in regards to an upgrade in a new home being built for us.
Roughly 3200 Sq. Ft. 2 Story Home

Comes standard with R-30 in Attic and R-13 in Exterior Walls.

I'm debating if I should dish out another $1380.00 to go up to R-38 and R-15.

Will going up a few up in R rating make a huge difference?

Any tips are appreciated.
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Old 07-01-2011, 09:25 AM
 
Location: Houston, TX
469 posts, read 1,094,753 times
Reputation: 442
I was listening to Todd Tynan's radio show over the weekend. Several people had called about insulation. He suggests R30 in the attic and R15 in the walls. Also a radiant barrier deck if you have not already put the roof on.
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Old 07-01-2011, 11:01 AM
 
Location: Sugar Land
2,465 posts, read 5,760,052 times
Reputation: 2733
I have R38 and R15. We love the electricity bill
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Old 07-01-2011, 12:29 PM
 
913 posts, read 4,325,208 times
Reputation: 782
Quote:
Originally Posted by a_guerrajr View Post
Hey guys,
Question in regards to an upgrade in a new home being built for us.
Roughly 3200 Sq. Ft. 2 Story Home
Comes standard with R-30 in Attic and R-13 in Exterior Walls.
I'm debating if I should dish out another $1380.00 to go up to R-38 and R-15.
Will going up a few up in R rating make a huge difference?
Any tips are appreciated.
I have studied the subject quite a bit. I would fo this for a new house:

Walls
Install as much as you can (as much as they can fit without squishing) in the walls (say R20). Because you cannot re-do it later because wall will be closed with a sheetrock.

Attic
R30 is NOT enough. Install R60, it will settle down to appr. R40 anyway over time (we are talking about loose fill insulation, right?).

Get a few quotes for R60 from other contractors. If they quote less, go with them when the house is finished. If not - pay your builder.

Or you may even do it yourself, as long as you can get inside every corner of the attic. This will cost you much less. And it can be done during Fall season, when it is not that hot.

Radiant barrier
Do they install it on decking? How much do they charge extra?
Nowadays, 4x6ft of 1/2in OSB board costs around $8 and same board with radiant barrier is only 2 dollar more (around $10). Talk to them.

If somehow they will not install radiant barrier, you can buy it in rolls (its just a roll of foil) and install it in the attic. Not a big deal.

The bottom line: The math is the key. Calculate each option and see which one you feel more comfortable with.
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Old 07-01-2011, 12:36 PM
 
913 posts, read 4,325,208 times
Reputation: 782
>>Will going up a few up in R rating make a huge difference?

In a perfect world, Houston houses should have at least R30 on each wall and R60 in the attic. A REAL tight R30 or R60 and not those holes and crevices they normally leave between framing and the bat insulation. Any crevice will suck hot air in and cool air out. Here is your money going out.

Again, in a perfect world, walls could be coated with foam insulation, at least 1 inch, to make sure they there is no more holes. Then you can add as much bat or loose fill insulation as you like. Again, at least R30.

But.... this almost never happens in Houston. Builders are too cheap and ignorant. Owners uneducated. And overall ROI (return on investment) on houses is often not calculated.
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Old 07-01-2011, 12:46 PM
 
913 posts, read 4,325,208 times
Reputation: 782
Quote:
Originally Posted by a_guerrajr View Post
Roughly 3200 Sq. Ft. 2 Story Home
I'm debating if I should dish out another $1380.00 to go up to R-38 and R-15.
Are you saying that they wanna charge you $1380 extra for just upgrading from R13 to R15 and from R30 to R38??? IMO, this is a rip off. :-) It is not a big difference, honestly. If they did a R30 to R60 or a R20 to R40 upgrade, I could understand. But just a few RRs up for $1400??

Here is one more hint: Talk to them how much would they charge for labor only? it should be the same no matter what insulation it is, right?
Then buy your own insulation at Home Depot or Lowes. it will cost you MUCH less.

Builders can't stop surprising me on how much they charge on any little thing...
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Old 07-01-2011, 06:21 PM
 
Location: Spring
1,105 posts, read 2,561,674 times
Reputation: 446
Yea 1380 for going up to r38 and r15

Im maxing out the loan doing this, I doubt I can afford to go r60/r20

Yea tech shield has already been taken care of.

I would expect my inspector to make sure the insulation is done right.Before sheet rock goes up.

Last edited by a_guerrajr; 07-01-2011 at 06:32 PM..
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