Your attic is a crucial component when planning for all-year energy efficiency in your home. Proper attic sealing strategies will help you save energy while not having to sacrifice comfort.
Two problems can arise from not having a properly sealed attic: extreme temperatures and excess moisture. When hot air gets trapped in your attic, it will eventually leak down into your home. This will force your HVAC system to work harder than it should, especially during the summer when you're already using it more than usual. This will cause your utility bills to rise and can bring about excess wear and tear, shortening its lifespan.
Moisture can be even more troubling. It can cause the growth of mold, which thrives in dark and damp environments. Not only can mold cause significant damage to your home, it can become airborne and cause respiratory problems. Proper attic sealing strategies will help you avoid these problems.
Add Proper Insulation To Your House
This map will show you just how much insulation your roof needs. When it's properly insulated, heat will not be able to transfer in and out of your attic as easily, helping maintain a moderate temperature. You can also reinforce your attic's ducts with insulation to prevent the temperature from affecting the air within them.
Seal Air Gaps Leading Into Attic
To prevent air in your attic from leaking into your house, plug all the areas that air could transfer through. Some common areas where this can happen include around plumbing, ductwork, wiring, lighting fixtures and attic entryways. One often overlooked area is the top and bottom plates of your walls. Air and moisture can travel through the gaps where the drywall and 2x4 plates meet.
Allow For Ventilation
By allowing outside air to circulate through your attic, you can help moderate the temperature and keep moisture out. If you replace the cover on your soffits with ridged vents, you can let air circulate without letting outside elements get in.
For more information about how attic sealing will help boost your home's overall efficiency, contact Russell's Heating and Cooling. We have been serving the Hampton Roads area since 1977.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Russell’s Heating & Cooling services the Chesapeake, Virginia and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website.