Did you know that heating and cooling your home accounts for the majority of your monthly energy bills? Insulating and air sealing your attic and crawlspace can significantly lower your monthly utility bills while improving indoor air quality, home durability, and comfort.
Crawlspaces are musty, dark places that most people avoid. Unfortunately, energy efficiency and moisture issues in these areas commonly go unnoticed, eroding indoor air quality and comfort while simultaneously boosting utility bills.
High humidity levels allow some common household allergens to thrive. Dust mite droppings, for example, are a common allergy trigger, and dust mites thrive in moist environments. High mold counts can trigger sneezing, runny noses, eye irritation, and even asthma. The air quality of your crawlspace impacts your family, as much of the air on the first floor of your home can come through the crawlspace.
Air sealing and insulating the attic, the floors over crawl spaces, and all accessible basement rim joists can reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 15% year-round, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). These services can also boost home durability and air quality by preventing moisture, allergens, and pests from entering your home.
When air leaks in and out of your attic, your heating and cooling bills go up. Because warm air rises, heated air commonly leaves in the winter and drives up your energy costs. This means that your energy dollars are slipping away. The EPA recommends homeowners to air seal attics and install upgraded insulation to boost home energy performance.
Moisture also enters through cracks in the attic, degrading home durability and home air quality. Because most attics are not properly air sealed and insulated, homeowners have higher monthly utility bills and more long-term maintenance issues. Professional contractors know where to look for air leaks and how to seal them, keeping heated and cooled air inside your home.
This important home improvement project can save you money for decades to come. Quality contractors are skilled in both air sealing and insulating, ensuring a job well done or you can complete the work yourself.
Weatherizing and air sealing an attic or crawlspace is considered as moderate to difficult home improvement project. ENERGY STAR has an informative guides on weatherizing basement and crawl spaces and insulating attics to get you started on doing it yourself.
