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If you have blown-in insulation, using an insulation vacuum will quickly and easily suck up all the insulation. Many come with built-in HEPA filters for added safety. While some people suggest breaking up large batts and feeding them into the vacuum, this can expose you to more fiberglass fibers. With batts and rolls, carefully removing them and placing them into garbage bags is a better process.

Insulating windows without plastic is usually the better method. Outside of simply replacing your windows, you could buy cellular shades, which trap air between the window and the home, add a window film that blocks UV rays and traps heat, or cover your windows with a low-emissivity coating called “low-E.”

Whether you should remove old insulation before blowing in new insulation depends on your particular situation. Fiberglass insulation attracts insects and mold over time, so if it has been decades since your last insulation upgrade, consider removing the old materials before placing the new ones. However, most types resist mold, insects, and mildew, so once you get the go-ahead from your contractor that your space is free from all three, feel free to install the new insulation directly on top of the pre-existing materials.

Insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, polyurethane, polystyrene, or mineral wool. Radiant barriers are often made of aluminum or other similarly reflective materials, but they will need to be paired with something else because they don’t provide heating benefits. Cellulose is among the most eco-friendly options and may be recycled when it’s past its shelf-life, whereas polyurethane and polystyrene both emit harmful compounds and will need to be handled with care during installation.