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Home » Energy Savings at Home » Seal & Insulate » Identify the Problems You Want to Fix

Energy Savings at Home

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

Identify the Problems You Want to Fix

Use the charts below to match your biggest concerns to the home improvement projects that may be able to address them and deliver the comfort and energy efficiency you are looking for.

Attic
Common Problems
  • Drafty rooms
  • Hot and cold rooms; uneven temperature between rooms
  • High heating or cooling bills
  • Ice dams on roof in the winter
What to Look For
  • Check the insulation level in your attic
  • Check for air leaks
Projects
  • Attic Air Sealing Project
  • Attic Insulation Project
Basement/Crawlspace
Common Problems
  • Cold floor in the winter
  • Hot and cold rooms; uneven temperature between rooms
  • High heating or cooling bills
  • Pests (insects, rodents)
What to Look For
  • Check the insulation level in your basement/crawlspace
  • Check for air leaks
Projects
  • Basement/Crawlspace Air Sealing and Insulation Project
Ducts
Common Problems
  • High heating or cooling bills
  • Hot and cold rooms; uneven temperature between rooms
  • Dust or smells from attic or crawlspace
What to Look For
  • Look for cracks, kinks, loose air supply boots or missing insulation
Projects
  • Duct Air Sealing
  • Duct Insulation
Doors/Windows/Walls
Common Problems
  • Drafty rooms
  • Pests (insects)
What to Look For
  • Check the insulation level in your walls
  • Check for air leaks
Projects
  • 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

warningCombustion Safety

In some situations, sealing your home or ductwork can cause combustion appliances like water heaters to backdraft, creating unsafe conditions inside your home.

Inspection and testing by a home energy professional can help to identify combustion-related health and safety issues that should be fixed before any air sealing or other efficiency improvements are made.

warningSafe Indoor Air Quality

Sealing your home may trap indoor air pollutants such as radon, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. A tight home may require additional mechanical ventilation to maintain safe air quality in the home.

For more information on safe ventilation, visit EPA's Indoor Air Quality for Homes pages and DOE's Guide to Home Ventilation. 

Get Started on Your Projects

Attic air sealing
Attic Air Sealing

Seal Behind Window and Door Trim
Seal Behind Window and Door Trim

Attic insulation
Attic Insulation

Applying Plastic Over Windows
Applying Plastic Over Windows

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
    • What to Look For: DIY Checks and Inspections
  • 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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