ENERGY STAR recommendations for attic R-values are determined by which climate zone your home falls into — in Albany and most nearby areas, that’s Zone 5. For this category, you want between R-49 and R-60 worth of insulation in your attic, assuming you’re installing new insulation. If you’re adding insulation and already have 3 to 4 inches of insulation in good condition, you can cut that to R-38 to R-49 worth of insulation.