U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Seal and Insulate
with ENERGY STAR'
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EPA 430F-04-049 October 2004
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WHY SEAL AND INSULATE
Sealing and insulating the
"envelope" or "shell" of Insulation ^^^^
walls, ceiling, windows,
doors, and floors—is
often the most cost
effective way to improve
energy efficiency and
comfort. A knowledgeable
homeowner or skilled
contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling
costs (or up to 10% on total annual energy bills) by sealing
and insulating.
To Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR:
• Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts,
• Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain
in summer, and
• Choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows when replacing.
Effective air sealing, combined with the right amount
of insulation, can make your home more comfortable
and cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.
BENEFITS
• Lower utility bills, because your home uses less energy;
• Improved comfort, especially the summer and winter
months;
• A quieter home, with less noise from outside;
• Fewer holes for pollen, dust, and insects to enter your
home and affect indoor
air quality; and
• Improved home
durability, from reduced
movement of moist air •
through the home I
envelope.
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WHAT IS
ENERGY STAR8?
ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that
helps us all to save money and protect our environment
with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether
you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your
home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help.
More than 50 kinds of products, including lighting,
appliances, televisions, computers, heating and
cooling equipment, and even new homes, can earn
the government's ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR
also offers best practice solutions, like sealing and
insulating your home, that can improve comfort and
reduce energy costs.
HELP PROTECT
THE ENVIRONMENT
Did you know that the average home produces twice the
greenhouse gases as the average car? In fact, 15 percent
of all greenhouse gases are generated from the energy
used in houses nationwide.
Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning
of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog,
acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy
we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.
LEARN MORE AT
energystar.gov
Seal and
Insulate
with
ENERGY STAR
For more information on Seal and Insulate
with ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov
or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)
IMPROVING YOUR
HOME ENVELOPE
The exterior of your home—the outer walls, ceiling, windows
and floor—is called the "envelope" or "shell." Improving the
envelope by sealing and insulating can make your home
more comfortable, especially under extremely hot or cold
conditions, and help lower your energy bills.
If you add up all the hidden air leaks in your home,
they can equal a hole the size of an open window—
and can lead to higher energy bills.
HIDDEN AIR LEAKS
Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are
easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But
holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are
usually bigger problems. These air leaks can make your
home uncomfortable, waste energy, and costyou money on
your utility bills.
Different types of products can be used to address different
types of air leaks:
• Caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping can be used to
seal smaller leaks;
• Plywood, drywall, and rigid foam insulation can be used to
plug larger holes; and
• Sheet metal and high-temperature caulk should be used to
close gaps around chimneys and furnace flues.
After air sealing, be sure to have a professional
check your home's ventilation and test combustion
appliances to be sure they are properly venting.
INSULATION
Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and
cool in the summer. There are several common types of
insulation—fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms),
cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective
insulation (or radiant barrier) is another insulating product
which can help save energy in hot, sunny climates. When
correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation
can deliver comfort and lower energy bills, especially during
the hottest and coldest times of the year.
Insulation performance is measured by R-value—its ability to
resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating power.
Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, basements
and crawlspaces, depending on your area of the country.
Because insulation works best when air is not moving through
or around it, it is important to seal air leaks before installing
insulation to ensure that you get the best performance.
For optimal performance, be sure to seal air leaks first
before adding insulation.
ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED WINDOWS
Windows are an important part of your home's envelope.
If you are replacing windows as part of a home improvement
project, choose ENERGY STAR qualified models, which can
save you energy and money, increase the comfort of your
home, and protectyour valuable possessions from sun
damage. Also look for ENERGY STAR qualified door and
skylights when remodeling.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If your attic is accessible and you like home improvement
projects, check out the ENERGY STAR Do-It-Yourself Guide,
available at energystar.gov. The Guide offers step-by-step
instructions for sealing common air leaks and adding
insulation to the attic.
For more a comprehensive approach, you can also hire a
contractor who can use special diagnostic tools to pinpoint
and seal the hidden air leaks in your home. Talk to local
insulating companies or home energy professionals to find
out if they offer these services.
A well-sealed and insulated
home envelope (shown here
in orange) improves energy
efficiency and comfort,
while lowering utility bills
and helping to protect the
environment
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
6202J
WASHINGTON DC 20460
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil based inks on
recycled paper (Minimum 50% post-consumer content)
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