How to Seal Your Attic for Year-Round Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy waste and efficiency loss, there are few areas more responsible for problems than your attic, especially during a hot Texas summer. Heat from your attic will naturally move toward areas with colder air, thereby causing your HVAC equipment to work harder to keep your home cool, and decreasing the overall comfort level of your indoor air. By following a few steps on how to seal the attic, you can make your home more comfortable, keep your HVAC equipment working to its full potential, and save money in the process.

• Seal the door – Whether your attic has a drop-down door, an access hatch or a conventional door, you can start the sealing process by surrounding any door openings with foam or rubber weatherstripping.
• Chimneys, ductwork and other openings – Wherever an item from the living area of your house rises into the attic, leaks can occur. Most of these areas can be safely sealed with a combination of foam insulation cut to size and spray foam insulation. For small openings, such as where wires enter, properly applied caulk or spray foam will usually do the job on its own. For furnace flues, special high-temperature graded material is required for safety.
• Effective insulation – To keep hot air from leaking into your home in the summer, and heated air from leaking into your attic in the winter, properly installed insulation is a must. Spaces between floor joists should all be well-insulated, along with knee walls and open ceiling spaces. Sometimes, insulation around outlets and other wall protrusions can sag or become misshapen. These areas should be maintained and repaired to achieve the best possible seal.

If you are in need of an energy audit, an expert opinion on how to seal the attic, or of someone to install the necessary sealing elements, please contact Davis Air Conditioning and Heating, proudly serving the Houston area for over 42 years. In addition to helping with all of the efficiency improvements your home may need, we can handle HVAC repairs, tune-ups, and the installation of new, energy-efficient equipment.