Why Air-Seal?

• According to the United States Department of Energy, homes with properly sealed attics and insulation use less energy and have lower energy bills each month. Adding insulation is fairly easy in existing homes, and most homeowners can air-seal their own attic with a little work. Air sealing is an important part of keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, as insulation alone cannot block all air flow.
  
  

Attic Air Sealing

• Inspect your attic for gaps around ceilings, bulkheads and soffits. Caulk all gaps and place plywood over any gaps in the ceiling. Seal any open spaces around ductwork or vents with heat-resistant caulk. Foam board insulation can be used to cover larger gaps in your attic. Chimneys often have gaps around their base, especially if furnace cement was used, as it becomes brittle over time and breaks. Seal any gaps around your chimney with high-temperature caulk.
  
  

Attic Access Sealing

• Many homeowners fail to properly seal and insulate the attic access, which allows air to flow in and out of the home, raising their monthly energy bill. Pull-down stairs and attic hatches are the most common access areas in residential homes. Installing weatherstripping around your attic hatch can reduce air leakage. Place a bolt on the access to keep it tightly sealed. If your attic has pull-down stairs, there is usually a gap around the frame that must be sealed. Small gaps can be caulked, while larger gaps may require foam board installation to provide adequate coverage.
  
  

Insulation

• Keeping your house warm requires adequate insulation in your attic. According to the United States Department of Energy, loose-fill insulation is less expensive to install than blanket insulation. Most insulation is made from bits of foam, fiberglass or natural fibers. The climate you live in, your lifestyle and how well your attic is air-sealed all affect how well your insulation works. Insulation must be installed properly to perform optimally and reduce energy bills.