In most of the United States, attaining an R-value of 38 is more than enough for insulation. In the temperate region of Southern California, an R-value of 30 is usually ideal. But can a house have too much insulation? The answer is yes. Having too much insulation isn't a problem in itself, but it can lead to other issues if the insulating material blocks the ventilation grilles.
This can cause condensation, moisture-related problems, wood rot, and mold. It's essential to ensure that your home's ventilation grilles have free air circulation in order to allow fresh air to enter the attic and prevent moisture from accumulating. Attic vents enable warm air to be expelled more naturally, replacing it with colder outside air. If the air flow is blocked, moisture cannot escape.
If moisture builds up in the attic and comes into contact with warm air, it can allow mold to form, which can lead to serious respiratory problems in people. Attic mold removal in Toronto requires attic cleaning blocks, blow insulation, new insulation, and wildlife removal. At that point, it would be better to forego certification and reduce insulation levels, since manufacturing that amount of insulation generates more emissions than would be saved over the lifespan of a home. Only a qualified professional insulator will be able to know exactly what type of services (attic insulation or insulation removal) are most suitable for your home.
It's worth investing in adding an inch of insulation to a wall that only has an inch of insulation, in any weather. In terms of insulation, it's more or less like this: If you live in a cold climate and you currently have a 2 x 4 inch wall with fiberglass block insulation and you plan to add two inches of rigid cardboard insulation, the return on investment could be 5 years. In the United States, most attic insulators protect both from heat gain in high temperatures and from heat loss in cold climates. That is, there is a balance point where generating heat is actually better for the environment than buying and installing more insulation.
Certified attic specialists who use protective equipment will bag old insulation or remove it with a professional-grade HEPA-filtered hose.
