How Whitehorse is built
- Before 1961 8%
- 1961–1990 41%
- 1991–2000 16%
- 2001 or later 35%
What inspections find in Whitehorse attics
Of Whitehorse's 9,485 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 8% were built before 1961 and 48% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. Attics in older houses commonly have a fraction of today's recommended insulation, and top-ups done over the years often buried air leaks instead of sealing them first.
Whitehorse gets about 6,522 heating degree-days a year and has a winter design temperature of −36.4°C, according to NRCan's HOT2000 climate data for Whitehorse. That's the 2nd-highest heating demand of the 70 cities we cover. The colder the climate, the faster added attic insulation pays for itself.
Vermiculite. Loose, pebbly, grey-brown or silver-gold insulation may contain asbestos. Health Canada's advice is not to disturb it; have it sampled before any attic work. Asbestos and vermiculite testing in Whitehorse
The right order for the work
- Seal the air leaks first: top plates, pot lights, plumbing stacks, the hatch.
- Fix ventilation baffles so new insulation doesn't block soffit vents.
- Then top up the insulation. Burying unsealed leaks under new insulation wastes much of the benefit.
NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Whitehorse
In Yukon, the territorial government's Energy Branch is the licensed service organization and arranges assessments with local energy advisors.
Every EnerGuide evaluation includes an attic inspection: insulation depth, air leaks and red flags such as vermiculite or knob-and-tube wiring.
- Government of Yukon Energy Mines and Resources
Insulation programs in Whitehorse
Attic insulation inspection in Whitehorse: common questions
How much attic insulation should a Whitehorse house have?
Advisors commonly target around R-50 to R-60 in attics. Your EnerGuide report gives the recommendation for your house.
Can I top up the insulation myself?
Only after the air leaks are sealed and you've confirmed there is no vermiculite. The inspection tells you both.
Will more insulation stop ice dams?
Insulation helps, but ice dams are mostly caused by warm air leaking into the attic. Air sealing is the bigger fix.