Note: Rising Sun's attic insulation program has not yet begun for 2010. Please check back soon for more information!
Your attic may be costing you money! Attic insulation prevents the warmth or 'coolth' in your home from leaking through the roof. In other words, it maintains the difference between the temperature inside and outside. If your attic is properly insulated, it will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and could save you big on your heating and cooling bills. If you need insulation, you may qualify for a subsidy from Rising Sun!
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star website, the attic of a home often contains major energy-wasting air leaks. Many older Bay Area homes are barely insulated. You might be burning through money and fossil fuel just to 'heat the outside' as warm air flows right out of your attic.
It is always hard to predict cost before making an onsite assessment of an attic. Blown-in attic cellulose insulation of the type we use ranges in price from $0.80 to $1.20 a square foot. The subsidy, if you qualify, is $0.80 a square foot. Thus, depending on the contractor and on your particular attic, your cost may be anywhere from $0.40 to $0.00 per square foot!
Please note that some older homes require extra work in order to comply. Extra fees may be required for installing attic vents or hiring a licensed electrician to inspect old knob-and-tube wiring.
Where is the program available and who qualifies?
The subsidy is provided to homes in Marin, Alameda or Contra Costa counties that currently have insufficient insulation, were built before 1979, and are located in Climate Zone 3. That includes but is not limited to these cities:
- Berkeley
- Oakland
- Kensington
- Richmond
- Albany
- Emeryville
- El Cerrito
- San Pablo
- El Sobrante
- Pinole
- San Rafael
- Novato
Rising Sun's attic insulation program begins in May each year and is available until the program funds are depleted for that year, so sign up right away!
I rent my home. Can I still get attic insulation?
You certainly can, but you need the permission of the landlord first. Since the service adds to the house's value, talking to your landlord about her/him assuming the cost might be the first step. But even if you choose to pay the costs, an upgrade may still make financial and environmental sense, since you pay your own PG&E bill!
How is the program funded?
Funding is provided through our partnership with the East Bay Energy Watch, a program funded by California utility customers and administered by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Blown in Cellulose Insulation
How attic insulation works
Attic insulation comes in two common types: fiberglass batts (rolls of pink fluffy material) or blown-in cellulose, which is made of recycled paper or fabric. No matter the type, the thicker the insulation, the better. "R-value" is a measure of insulation amount. R30 is the minimum required to meet new building code standards in California - that's equal to about 9 inches of insulation. If your current insulation is under R12 as assessed by our contractors, you may qualify for the subsidy!
What type of insulation does Rising Sun recommend?
Rising Sun's attic contractors use blown-in cellulose. It is easy to install, can be blown OVER existing insulation, and, since it is made from flame-retardant recycled newspaper, is a sustainable product.