--- title: How do I know if I need more insulation? | House Tite url: https://housetite.com/insulation-questions/do-i-need-more-insulation/ description: The ENERGY STAR attic check: if the insulation is level with or below the joists, you probably need more. Other signs, and what to check before adding any. updated: 2026-11-06 --- *Home > Insulation questions > Do I need more insulation?* Insulation questions # How do I know if I need more insulation? **Short answer:** Look across the attic. If the insulation is level with or below the floor joists, you probably need more; if you cannot see the joists at all, you probably have enough [1]. Cold floors, rooms that never warm up, a hot upstairs in summer and ice dams are the other signs. ## The attic check ENERGY STAR: “Looking across your attic, if the insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation.” And: “If you cannot see any of the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough” [1]. Check the edges too. ENERGY STAR notes “sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves” [1]. Do not step between the joists; you will go through the ceiling. A flashlight from the hatch is enough. Or text us a photo from the hatch at 740-590-5352 and we will tell you what we see. ## Other signs - **Cold floors over a crawl space.** Usually fallen or missing insulation underneath. [Crawl spaces.](https://housetite.com/crawl-space-insulation/) - **A room over the garage that never warms up.** [Why that happens.](https://housetite.com/insulation-questions/cold-room-over-garage/) - **Upstairs too hot in summer.** The attic is letting heat pour down. - **Icicles and ice dams.** Heat leaking into the attic. [Ice dams.](https://housetite.com/insulation-questions/ice-dams/) - **Outside walls cold to the touch** in an older house. The walls may be empty. [Blown in walls.](https://housetite.com/wall-insulation/) ## Is it worth it EPA estimates homeowners “can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements” [2]. ## Before you add any Some things should be dealt with first. ENERGY STAR lists knob and tube wiring, which “can be a fire hazard when in contact with insulation” [3]. EPA says to assume vermiculite contains asbestos and not to disturb it [4]. Insulation must stay at least 3 inches from recessed can lights unless they are rated IC [5]. ## More questions ### Is adding insulation worth it? EPA estimates an average of 15% savings on heating and cooling costs, or 11% on total energy costs, from air sealing and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements. ### Get a price Call or text a photo of your attic hatch or crawl space. We come out, measure, and give you one written price for the whole job. Get a price Call 740-590-5352 ### Related - [Attic insulation](https://housetite.com/attic-insulation/) - [Attic R-value in Ohio](https://housetite.com/insulation-questions/attic-r-value-ohio/) - [Crawl spaces](https://housetite.com/crawl-space-insulation/) ## Sources 1. ENERGY STAR. [What to Look For: DIY Checks and Inspections](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/identify-problems-you-want-fix/diy-checks-inspections). 2. ENERGY STAR. [Why Seal and Insulate?](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate). 3. ENERGY STAR. [Attic Air Sealing Project](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/attic-air-sealing-project). 4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation](https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-asbestos-contaminated-vermiculite-insulation). 5. ENERGY STAR. [Attic Insulation Project](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/attic-insulation-project). [All insulation questions](https://housetite.com/insulation-questions/) --- **House Tite** · insulation contractor · Nelsonville, Ohio · call or text 740-590-5352 · sprayfoam@housetite.com · Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern. Weekends by appointment. Get a price: https://housetite.com/quote/ (or text a photo of the attic or crawl space to 740-590-5352).