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ENERGY STAR
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  1. Home
  2. Energy Savings At Home
  3. Seal and Insulate With ENERGY STAR
  4. Why Seal and Insulate?

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Seal and Insulate

  • Why Seal and Insulate?
  • Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings
  • Program Requirements
  • Choosing the Appropriate Insulation Type
  • 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 DIY Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR
  • Rule Your Attic! For Comfort and Savings

Expert Home Improvements

Why Seal and Insulate?

Illustration of properly installed insulation for summer and winter

Save Energy and Money IconSave Energy and Money.

Air that leaks through your home’s envelope − the outer walls, windows, doors, and other openings − wastes a lot of energy and increases your utility costs. A well-sealed envelope, coupled with the right amount of insulation, can make a real difference on your utility bills. EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements. 

Comfort IconIncrease Comfort.

Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When correctly installed, insulation can deliver comfort and savings, especially during the hottest and coldest times of the year. Sealing leaks and adding insulation can improve the overall comfort of your home and help to fix many of these common problems:

  • Reduced noise from outside
  • Less pollen, dust and insects (or pests) entering your home
  • Better humidity control
  • Lower chance for ice dams on the roof/eves in snowy climates

In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home’s envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year!

Most Homes Will Benefit.

Most homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation and have significant air leaks.  Did you know that 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated? Sealing air leaks around your home and adding insulation are two of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home. By tackling both projects, you can maximize your comfort and save up to 10% on your annual energy bills.

To find more information and energy savings opportunities, visit Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR. 

GET STARTED ON YOUR PROJECTS

Couple installing thermal insulation
Attic Air Sealing
man installing insulation
Attic Insulation
man installing insulation in a basement
Basement/crawlspace
man caulking a window
Seal Behind Window and Door Trim
sealing a window with plastic sheet
Applying Plastic Over Windows
ENERGY STAR
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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