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No, 55 degrees Fahrenheit is not too cold for a house, as it’s a temperature that will keep your pipes and appliances from freezing. Well-insulated homes can even go to 50 degrees, but check with an HVAC pro before opting for such a low temperature. Stick to 55 degrees to be on the safe side.

Three signs that you need crawl space insulation are drafts, high energy bills, and mold. Drafts can start in crawl spaces and cause hot or cold air to spread to the rest of your home through holes in the floors and walls. And even if your entire home is well-insulated, you can still feel an unchecked draft from your crawl space and in your utility bill. Uninsulated crawl spaces can let in air and moisture, and because they’re built directly on the ground and difficult to dry out, they are hotspots for mold and mildew.

The R-value is a rating that measures an insulation's thermal resistance—in other words, how well it insulates. A higher R-value provides more protection for your pipes, and all pipe insulation materials should have an R-value listed on the product description or label. Each insulation type has its own R-value, which typically falls between one and five for most pipe insulation. When making a selection, Energy.gov recommends choosing a pipe wrap that is at least one inch thick, and the International Code Council (ICC) suggests choosing a material with an R-value of at least 3.

On average, insulating an attic costs about $2,500, with a typical range of $1,500 to $3,500. The final price often depends on the attic's size, with costs generally falling between $1 to $3 per square foot. For example, insulating a 1,800-square-foot attic would likely cost between $1,800 and $5,400.

If the project involves removing old insulation, this can add an average of $900 to the total cost, bringing a full removal and reinsulation project to around $3,000.

Several factors influence the overall cost:

• Insulation Type: Prices per square foot vary significantly by material.

• Reflective: $0.50–$1.50

• Blown-in: $1–$4

• Batt: $2–$4

• Loose-fill: $2–$5

• Spray foam: $2–$5

• Structural insulated panels (SIPs): $4–$7

• Project Complexity: Factors like sealing air leaks, poor attic accessibility, and required inspections can add to the cost.

• Removal Issues: The discovery of mold, asbestos, or pests during the removal of old insulation can substantially increase the price.