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Home » Energy Savings at Home » Seal & Insulate » Determine the Effort Required

Energy Savings at Home

Advice, tools, resources and inspiration to help you save energy

Determine the Effort Required

Use the chart below to assess which home improvement projects you will feel comfortable doing yourself, and which you may want to hire a contractor for.

Attic
Doing the Project Yourself* Ease of Project Difficult
Time (days) 1−3
Costs $$$$$
Hiring a Contractor* Time (days) 1-2
Costs $$$$$
Projects How-to-Instructions
  • Attic Air Sealing Project
  • Attic Insulation Project
Basement/Crawlspace
Doing the Project Yourself* Ease of Project Moderate − Difficult
Time (days) 1−3
Costs $$$$$
Hiring a Contractor* Time (days) 1-2
Costs $$$$$
Projects How-to-Instructions
  • Basement/Crawlspace Air Sealing and Insulation Project
Ducts
Doing the Project Yourself* Ease of Project Moderate − Difficult
Time (days) 1−3
Costs $$$$$
Hiring a Contractor* Time (days) 1−2
Costs $$$$$
Projects How-to-Instructions
  • Duct Air Sealing
  • Duct Insulation
Doors/Windows/Walls
Doing the Project Yourself* Ease of Project Moderate
Time (days) 1−2
Costs $$$$$
Hiring a Contractor* Time (days) 1
Costs $$$$$
Projects How-to-Instructions
  • Air Sealing Wall Penetrations
  • Air Sealing Electrical Outlets
  • Air Sealing Behind Window and Door Trim
  • Weatherstripping Doors
  • Weatherstripping Windows
  • Applying Plastic Over Windows
  • Air Sealing Fireplaces


*Results will vary depending on the age, construction and condition of your home, as well as the contractor estimates.

Key: $ = <$100, $$$$$ = >$2,000

Utility Rebates

Many local utilities may offer rebates for a professional home energy assessment and certain air sealing and insulation projects.

Be sure to contact your utility company before beginning a project to see what incentives are available in your area. You can also check for incentives using the DSIRE database for state incentives. 

Financial Assistance

You may be eligible for financial assistance to make improvements like air sealing and insulating through your state's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

For more information, visit the following site and select your state of residence: Weatherization Assistance Agency Locator. 

Get Started on Your Projects

Attic air sealing
Attic Air Sealing

Attic Air Sealing

Seal Behind Window and Door Trim

Seal Behind Window and Door Trim

Attic insulation
Attic Insulation

Attic Insulation

Applying Plastic Over Windows
Applying Plastic Over Windows

Applying Plastic Over
Windows

Basement/crawlspace
Basement/crawlspace

Basement/crawlspace

Seal & Insulate

  • Why Seal and Insulate?
  • Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings
  • Look for ENERGY STAR Certified Insulation
  • Identify the Problems You Want to Fix
  • Determine the Effort Required
  • Assess the Level of Opportunity
  • Attic Air Sealing Project
  • Attic Insulation Project
  • Basement & Crawlspace Air Sealing and Insulating Project
  • Sealing Behind Window & Door Trim Project
  • Applying Plastic Over Windows Project
  • A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR
  • Rule Your Attic! For Comfort and Savings
ENERGY STAR

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