How Much Does Blown-In Insulation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $981 - $2,318
The average cost of installing blown-in insulation is $1,649, depending on the square footage and other cost factors.
The average blown-in insulation cost (also called loose fill) is about $1,649, or between $981 and $2,318. This home improvement project could pay you back with savings on heating and cooling bills in the long run.
You’ve got your cozy fireplace, warm slippers, and hot tea to keep you warm, but for the ultimate comfort, check your insulation. Think of blown-in insulation like a layer of snow that settles into the nooks and crannies between boards or pipes to prevent leaks. Read on to learn the blown-in wall insulation cost, its various price factors, and how to save money on your insulation project.
- Average
- $1,649
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $4,000
Installing Blown-In Insulation Cost Factors
Plenty of factors impact the overall cost of placing blown-in insulation throughout your home. Let’s take a look at how these factors can help determine your total project cost.
Size of the Area
| Area in Square Feet | Blown-in Insulation Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500 | $875–$3,750 |
| 1,000 | $1,750–$7,500 |
| 1,500 | $2,625–$11,250 |
The biggest cost factor is the size of the area that requires insulation. A larger area requires more insulation and labor, increasing the overall price. This metric is calculated by multiplying your square footage by the cost per square foot of your chosen insulation materials, which are detailed below. However, a general range for blown-in insulation per square foot is $1.75 to $7.50 depending on the type.
Type of Installation
Whether you’re installing blown-in insulation in new or existing walls will impact the price. For example, newly-constructed homes reserve blown-in insulation for the attic, with construction pros using batt or spray foam insulation inside the interior walls. However, older homes can have blown-in insulation in both attics and exterior walls. Here is how these costs break down.
Existing walls: Replacing insulation in an older house costs around $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot.
New homes: Insulating attic walls in a newly constructed home with blown-in insulation costs $2 to $4 per square foot.
Attic: Insulating an attic using blown-in insulation costs between $3 to $7.50 per square foot.
R-Value
When measuring the efficacy of any insulation material, it all boils down to the R-value. Generally speaking, higher is better, though there are two metrics to consider. There’s the overall R-value and the per-inch R-value. For example, if you want a total R-value of 30, you’ll need ten inches of insulation at an R-value of 3.0 per inch. Materials with higher R-values cost more, like sheep’s wool, but you don’t need as much material to complete the installation.
Below is a breakdown of R-values and the corresponding prices:
| R-Value | Number of Bags per 1,000 sq. ft. | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| R-13–R-21 | 7–10 | $230–$330 |
| R-30–R-49 | 15–20 | $500–$1,600 |
| R-38–R-49 | 20–26 | $1,300–$1,600 |
| R-49–R-60 | 26–32 | $1,600–$2,000 |
Additionally, more is not always better. Maxing out your R-value is great for colder climates but likely unnecessary in more temperate regions. Different regions require different R-values, so talk to your insulation pro about your options.
Type of Insulation
The cost to install blown-in insulation depends on the type of insulation you choose for the project. Anticipate spending anywhere between $0.50 and $2.30 per square foot for materials, not including installation. Below is a breakdown of each blown-in material type and how much it costs.
| Type of Blown-In Insulation | R-Value per Inch | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | 2.5 to 3.5 | $0.50 to $1.10 |
| Wet-spray cellulose | 3.2 to 3.7 | $0.60 to $1.80 |
| Dense-pack cellulose | 3.2 to 3.7 | $2 to $2.30 |
| Rockwool | 3.0 to 3.7 | $1.40 to $2.10 |
| Natural wool | 3.5 to 3.8 | $1.50 to $3.10 |
Home Location
Where you live plays a key role in the cost of your insulation. Colder regions require a higher and costlier R-value than homes in warmer climates. For instance, if you live in Florida, you may only spend between $500 and $1,600 on attic insulation, whereas a home in Alaska may cost between $1,600 and $2,000 or more.
You can refer to the Department of Energy for zoning information and to help you determine your region’s R-value requirements.
DIY Blown-In Insulation Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing blown-in insulation yourself is doable but comes with risks. When you hire a local insulation contractor for $40 to $70 per hour, they will spot and avoid hazards—including mold, asbestos, and faulty wiring—detect wall blockages, and work around studs, ducts, and hidden wires.
If you’re determined to go it alone, bags of insulation cost $30 to $70 each and cover around 100 square feet. So, for an attic of 1,000 square feet, you can expect materials to cost $300 to $700. Renting a blowing machine costs around $100 to $200 per day.
Cost of Common Insulation Add-Ons
In some cases, your costs extend beyond materials and labor, especially if you need to perform related tasks before adding insulation. Here are some common additional costs to consider.
Air sealing: A pro often recommends air sealing to avoid drafts and minimize your utility bills. This extra task costs $300 to $1,500.
Wiring: Electricians charge $50 to $100 per hour, but the overall wiring cost depends on the size of the area and the status of the current wiring.
Mold remediation: Mold remediation costs $10 to $25 per square foot.
Asbestos removal: Asbestos remediation costs $1,200 to $3,300. You should hire an asbestos abatement company near you to handle this task.
Moving existing insulation: Insulation removal costs range from $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
Pest removal: Pest control costs between $50 and $500 or around $175 on average.
Tips to Save Money When Installing Blown-In Insulation
Follow these helpful tips to potentially lower the project cost of installing blown-in insulation.
Buy the materials yourself: Insulation contractors typically, though not always, mark up materials to turn a profit. Buy the materials yourself from a local hardware store to cut out the middleman.
Clean the area: Remember, labor boils down to an hourly rate. If your contractor has to move stuff around or clean the area before the installation, that counts toward their hourly price. Prepare the space ahead of time so your pro can get right to work.
Opt for less expensive insulation: Fiberglass is the least expensive option, costing nearly half the cost of other materials. The R-value is not as robust as other insulation types, but the difference is negligible for many homeowners. Remember, depending on where you live and any pre-existing insulation, you don’t necessarily need the highest possible R-value.
Don’t remove pre-existing insulation: Most insulation is stackable, meaning you can add on to existing insulation to increase your home’s R-value. Blow the insulation on top of pre-existing materials to save money, but ensure the original insulation is still in decent shape and is not filled with mold, asbestos, or insects.
Get multiple estimates: Contact a few insulation experts and gather estimates. That way, you can guarantee that you’re getting the best value for your service.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your needs and preferences, though many homeowners think it is worth it. Not only is blown-in insulation easy to install, but it is highly efficient with thermal regulation. Most types are mold-resistant, flame-resistant, insect-resistant, and, most importantly, completely safe.
At a minimum, blown-in insulation lasts 20 to 30 years. Cellulose and sheep’s wool come from natural materials, so they likely max out at around 30 years. Fiberglass and rockwool feature artificial materials that boast lengthy lifespans, up to 50 years, or even longer in some cases. As always, this timeline assumes you don’t run into any issues, such as flooding or mold, that shorten the lifespan.
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.