Energy Star Air Sealing Attic

By air sealing in your attic you can stop many major air leaks and help to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home.

Energy star air sealing attic.

Sealing air leaks and adding insulation to the basement or crawlspace can yield substantial benefits if done correctly. Sealing air leaks around your home and adding insulation can help your home be more comfortable and energy efficient and provide up to a 10 savings on your annual energy bills. Determine if your attic insulation is adequate and learn how to add more. Seal and insulate with energy star.

While these improvements are generally considered moderate to difficult do it yourself diy projects whether you are a homeowner or a qualified home performance contractor. I was a bit shocked at the 1 500 2 500 contractor estimates for attic sealing. Plug the big holes first. After sealing attic air leaks complete the job by sealing basement leaks to stop the chimney effect.

Check the duct connections for leaks by turning on your heating and cooling system fan and feeling for leaks seal the joints with mastic or foil tape household duct tape should not be used. The attic is usually where you can find some of the largest opportunities to save energy in your home. Don t worry about finding and sealing all the little holes in your attic. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.

Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. In the past year i ve been on an energy hog hunt in my house and landed on air sealing my attic before adding blown insulation. I m all about diy when it saves me time or money. Use this guide to.

The projects recommended in this guide can usually be completed in a day or two and will provide beneits for years to come. Attic air sealing and adding insulation are do it yourself projects if your attic is accessible and not too dificult to move around in. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. As hot air generated by the furnace rises up through the house and into the attic through leaks cold outside air gets drawn in through basement leaks to replace the displaced air.

Your biggest savings will come from plugging the large ones. Once in the attic refer to your sketch to locate the areas where leakage is likely to be greatest. Where walls inner and outer meet the attic floor dropped soffits dropped ceiling areas and behind or under attic kneewalls. My cost was under 150 and it took me less than a day.

Sealing and insulating are often the most cost effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient and you can do it yourself with guidance from energy star. This makes a home feel drafty and contributes to higher energy bills. Simple fixes include installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows while bigger jobs might include sealing leaks and adding insulation in your attic. Combined with attic insulation air sealing can help to alleviate the formation of dangerous ice dams in the winter.

A do it yourself guide to sealing and insulating with energy star.