Bad attic insulation shows up in your comfort, energy bills, and the physical condition of the attic. The most obvious sign is uneven temperatures in your home. Upstairs bedrooms are freezing in winter and scorching in summer, or you have to run your furnace or air conditioner constantly. High energy bills compared to similar-sized neighbors are a classic indicator. Visual signs in the attic include insulation that is thin, compressed, or missing in spots, with exposed joist tops visible. If you can see the ceiling drywall or joists, you definitely do not have enough. For blown-in insulation, less than 10 to 12 inches of fiberglass or cellulose usually means you are below R38. Other signs include drafts in the attic, daylight visible around vents or eaves, water stains, mold or mildew on insulation, which means it got wet and lost its R-value, and pest infestation with droppings or nesting material. In winter, ice dams forming on your roof edges and icicles are a major sign of heat escaping through poor attic insulation and melting snow on the roof. Also, if your insulation is more than 15 to 20 years old, it may have settled or been damaged by roof leaks. A quick touch test helps too. If the ceiling drywall feels cold in winter, heat is bypassing your insulation.
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