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The heat loss through a poorly insulated attic when you’re running your furnace or heat pump during cold weather can be as high as 25%. This means you could see significantly higher energy costs to make up for this heat loss. The cost of adding insulation to the attic may eventually pay for itself through lower energy bills. If you decide to add a radiant barrier too, the radiant barrier cost may also pay for itself over time.

The best way to reduce heat upstairs is to release it by opening a window. Hot air rises, and if you can create some airflow by opening a window upstairs and also one on a lower level, the hot air should be pushed out of the home. Remember that fans pointing out the window do a much better job of circulating air than fans pointing into the home.

You do not always need to remove old insulation before adding new. If the existing insulation is in good condition—not wet, physically damaged, moldy, or infested with pests—you can add new insulation directly on top of it for a compounding effect. You can also mix different types, such as adding blown-in insulation around existing fiberglass batts.

However, removal is recommended if the old insulation is compromised by water damage or pests. You should also remove it if you plan to install a different type of insulation, like switching from roll or batt insulation to spray foam. If the existing insulation is very old or damaged, you will likely get more benefit from removing it and starting fresh.

Water heater blanket prices range from $20 to $40 on average, though you typically won’t need to spend more than $30 for all the tools and materials required for installation—which include the blanket itself, heavy-duty scissors, and electrical tape. Blankets with higher R-values will also be slightly higher in price.