Air sealing your attic can save you money each month in the long run!

Now is the time of year when you can get a head start on lowering your winter utility bills.  Energy Star’s “Rule Your Attic” campaign offers ways to improve your homes efficiency through getting to know your attic.  One of the suggestions is finding gaps that need air sealing in the attic area.

 

Any penetration in the attic area can cause conditioned air to leak and the HVAC unit to work harder.  These penetrations can be from plumbing, light fixtures or duct work.  When looking at these holes individually they may seem small and insignificant; but if you were to combine all the holes they could add up to the equivalent of 2 feet gap.  A 2 foot hole is a large gap for conditioned air to leak from the home.

 

Below are pictures examples of gaps that are air sealed in an attic area.  You can use spray foam for this, which is inexpensive material.  Insulation may have to be moved to find all of the penetrations in the attic.  Make sure to replace the insulation evenly after air sealing.  When the air sealing is complete and insulation is even, this would be a good time to measure the depth of your insulation.  Most homes are not properly insulated.  The recommended r-value for energy efficiency is R-49.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following link has more information on air sealing:https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_attic

 

Again, air sealing is a great way to make your home more energy efficient and save you money each month.  If you are not comfortable with inspecting your attic for leakage, GIC would be more than happy to help.  Call us today at 816-301-4448 to schedule an appointment!

 

Get a head start on your winter bills by air sealing your attic!