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United States

U.S. Climate Zone 5A home maintenance

Buffalo represents DOE analysis; county data determines the project classification.

Official profile

5ACool–HumidRepresentative: Buffalo, New York

Zone 5A is DOE’s Cool–Humid classification represented by Buffalo, New York; ENERGY STAR shows R60 for an uninsulated attic and R49 with 3–4 inches existing.

Official insulation comparison

Official insulation comparison for U.S. Climate Zone 5A home maintenance
ConditionGuidanceScope
Uninsulated atticR60ENERGY STAR retrofit recommendation for the Zone 4C/5/6 group.
Existing 3–4 inchesR49Official retrofit table condition

This is a comparison value, not a bag count. Choose the applicable added R-value and a current named-product label before calculating material.

Calculate named-product bags

Seasonal priorities for this profile

  1. Spring

    Inspect roof, attic, and drainage for damage or staining.

    Moisture conditions must be fixed before top-up.

  2. Summer

    Complete accessible air-sealing documentation.

    Loose fill makes later access harder.

  3. Fall

    Check attic hatch and insulation continuity.

    Boundary gaps should be resolved as part of the assembly.

Use the profile correctly

  • Confirm the actual project zone using the cited official lookup or the authority that applies locally.
  • Inspect existing material, moisture, air leakage, safe access, wiring, fixtures, and combustion equipment before top-up.
  • Use the exact current product coverage card; do not transfer bag data between U.S. and Canadian products.
  • Treat representative locations as classification examples, not local forecasts or code boundaries.

Sources and scope

Source links reviewed July 16, 2026. A review date is not the document's publication date.

  1. U.S. Department of Energy: Prototype Building Models — Climate Zone RepresentativesUnited States · government standard

    Representative locations classify a zone; they are not a substitute for local weather or code data.

  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Guide to Determining Climate Zones by CountyUnited States · government standard

    Use the county files for a project address; representative cities are examples rather than boundaries.

  3. ENERGY STAR: Recommended Home Insulation R-ValuesUnited States · government guide

    Recommendations are presented by ENERGY STAR using 2021 IECC climate zones.

  4. ENERGY STAR: DIY Checks and InspectionsUnited States · government guide

    Do not disturb suspected vermiculite insulation; obtain qualified guidance before work.