Short Answer
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-49 to R-60 for attics in South Jersey's climate zone, which translates to roughly 16–20 inches of blown-in fiberglass insulation. Many older homes in the region have as little as R-19 — barely a third of what's needed.
Detailed Explanation
South Jersey sits in DOE Climate Zone 4, with portions of Burlington and Ocean counties bordering Zone 5. The recommended attic insulation level for this zone is R-49 to R-60. R-value measures insulation's resistance to heat flow — the higher the number, the better the insulation performance. For blown-in fiberglass, R-49 requires approximately 16 inches of depth and R-60 requires approximately 20 inches. Many South Jersey homes built before 2000 have only 6–8 inches of insulation (R-19 or less), which was the standard when they were built but falls far short of current recommendations. During a free attic inspection, we measure your current insulation depth, calculate the existing R-value, and recommend the additional amount needed to reach the DOE target. Upgrading from R-19 to R-49 can reduce heating and cooling costs by 15–20% and dramatically improve comfort, especially in second-floor rooms that always seem too hot in summer or too cold in winter.
Why It Matters
Under-insulated attics are the single biggest source of energy loss in most South Jersey homes. Bringing your attic up to current DOE recommendations is one of the fastest-paying home improvements you can make.
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