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The life span of insulation is between 20 and 100 years. At that time, existing insulation can fall victim to gravity, resulting in compression, which reduces its insulating protection or R-value. If you can't simply add more insulation over the existing material, removing the old to increase the effectiveness of the new can reduce your energy bills and make the project worth the time and money investment.

Doubling the insulation in your home also doubles the R-value of said insulation. In other words, by adding more insulation, you can reduce the heat loss by half. Most homes benefit from increasing insulation. Older homes, in particular tend to have less insulation as is, so doubling your insulation could drastically reduce your energy bills, keep your home more comfortable, and take the strain off your HVAC system.

In addition to adding insulation to your attic, you may want to add a radiant barrier. A radiant barrier works by using reflective material, such as foil, on the attic floor. As heat penetrates the roof and enters the attic, the radiant barrier reflects the heat upward and back through the roof. If you receive a lot of direct sunlight on the roof, using both a radiant barrier and insulation in your attic can provide significant benefits.

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.