ENERGY STAR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
eal and
*,
Insulate with
ENERGY STAR
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WHY SEAL AND INSULATE?
Sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your
home—its outer 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.
BENEFITS
• Lower utility bills
• Improved comfort, especially during summer
and winter
• Reduced noise from outside
• Less pollen, dust, and insects entering your home
• Better humidity control
GETTING STARTED
If your attic is accessible and you like home improvement
projects, check out our DIY Guide to Sealing and
Insulating with ENERGY STAR, available at energystar.gov.
The Guide offers step-by-step instructions for sealing
common air leaks and adding insulation to the attic.
For a more comprehensive approach, hire a contractor
that uses special diagnostic tools to pinpoint and seal the
hidden air leaks in your home. Ask local insulating
companies or home energy professionals if they offer
these services.
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WHAT IS
ENERGY STAR*?
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 60 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 STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary partnership
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased
energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumers
and businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy,
save money, and help protect the environment for future
generations.
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)
SEAL AND INSULATE WITH
ENERGY STAR
• SEALING 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 leaks can make your
home uncomfortable, waste energy, and cost you money.
Different types of products can be used to address
different types of air leaks:
• Caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping for sealing
smaller leaks;
• Plywood, drywall, or rigid foam insulation for covering
larger holes; and
• Sheet metal and high-temperature caulk to close gaps
around chimneys and furnace flues.
•ADDING 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) can also help save energy
in hot, sunny climates. When correctly installed, 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.
• CHOOSING 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 to save
energy and money, increase the comfort of your home, and
protectyour valuable possessions from sun damage. Also
look for ENERGY STAR qualified doors and skylights.
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Crawl Space
Source: U.S. EPA
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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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