Blown-In Attic Insulation in Panama City, FL

Blown-in attic insulation is loose cellulose or fiberglass blown across the attic floor with a machine to a set depth. It fills around joists, wires and odd corners better than batts, and it is the cheapest way to add a lot of R-value to an open attic. In Panama City it works best when the ceiling has been air sealed first, because loose fill slows heat but lets air move through it, and humid attic air pulled down into the house is part of the problem here.

How much to add

The 2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, uses R-38 as the prescriptive ceiling value in Climate Zone 2, which includes Bay County. The Department of Energy's Energy Saver table goes higher for existing homes, at R-49 to R-60 for a Zone 2 attic with no insulation and R-38 to R-49 where three to four inches are already there. HomeGuide lists blown fiberglass at roughly R-2.2 to R-2.9 per inch and cellulose at R-3.1 to R-3.8 per inch, so R-38 means somewhere around 10 to 17 inches depending on the material. Many older attics around the bay have a few inches of settled fill or thin batts with gaps.

Seal first

Before we blow anything, we seal the openings in the ceiling: gaps around plumbing vents and wiring, the tops of interior walls, chases, recessed light housings rated for contact, the attic hatch or pull-down stairs, and the duct boots where supply registers meet the drywall. Unsealed boots are common here and leak cooled air into the attic. We also check that bath fans vent outdoors and that soffit vents are clear, then set baffles at the eaves so the new insulation does not block airflow.

Cellulose or fiberglass

Cellulose is recycled paper treated with fire retardant. It is denser, a bit higher in R per inch, and does a little better at slowing air through the layer. Fiberglass is lighter, does not settle as much and holds up if it gets a small amount of moisture. Both work in a Panama City attic. We tell you which we plan and why, and we can quote either.

Rebate to check

FPL's Northwest Florida ceiling insulation program lists a $220 instant rebate when the home's current ceiling insulation is below R-8, with the upgrade installed by an FPL-approved installer and access provided to all attic spaces. Program rules change, so check with FPL about current terms and approved installers before work starts. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members can also look at the co-op's energy efficiency loan through MAX Credit Union, which lists cellulose and foam attic insulation among eligible upgrades after a co-op energy audit.

When blown-in is not the answer

If the air handler and most of the ductwork are in the attic, or the roof shape makes the attic floor hard to reach and seal, a sealed attic with roof deck foam may be the better buy even though it costs more up front. If the existing insulation is wet, moldy or full of rodent droppings, it should come out first. We point out these cases on the visit and price the alternatives so you can decide.

Ask us to measure your current depth and price a top-up. Get a free estimate