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Seal the Deal: Boost Energy Efficiency with a Sealed and Insulated Attic and Basement
90% of homes in the United States are under-insulated, according to ENERGY STAR, the federal government’s program for energy efficiency.
Our one step this week is Insulating 101: Sealing and Insulating Attics and Basements. Of all the areas in a building, sealing and insulating the basement and attic does the most good due to the “chimney effect.” Because gravity pulls down denser cold air, displacing warm air, the further a hole is below the neutral plane of a building, the faster cold air moves through it, and the higher a hole is above the neutral plane, the faster warm air moves through it. Sealing holes at the bottom and top of air columns keeps air from leaking in and out. Once holes are sealed to keep air in place, insulation can reduce the rate of heat gain or loss through walls and ceilings.
The One That Matters Most
To know how well you have sealed and insulated your attic and basement, this indicator matters most:
- How much energy you use per year.
