Attic sealing is a solid strategy for preventing energy from leaking out of your attic and moisture from leaking in. Even if your home is adequately insulated (many Metrowest Boston homes are not), precious conditioned air can still seep through the insulating material.
Indoor air can often leak into your attic around penetrations from your upper story, coming up through the attic floor. This includes lighting fixtures, pipes, ductwork, wiring and attic hatches.
Moisture can also be a problem, seeping up with humid indoor air into the attic. Bathrooms, stoves and household vents directing humidity into the attic can be especially troublesome. Water can ruin insulation and create the perfect environment for mold growth.
Attic sealing can not only save money, but can make your home a safer place. Here are a few simple tips:
- Seal big leaks first. If you have an open space between your ceiling and attic floor (a dropped ceiling), it's often used for lighting fixtures and ducts, but can waste energy. Look between the attic floor studs. You’ll have to pull the insulation back or scoop it out to seal between them. Use a rigid material like reflective foil.
- Seal smaller air leaks. Caulk and expanding spray foam are good materials to plug up the more manageable leaks. Be careful with spray foam, as it's very sticky and hard to get off skin and clothing. Caulk is the best material to use around electrical boxes.
- Seal around chimneys. Flues and chimneys require heat-resistant sealing, sometimes known as “flashing.” Aluminum sheeting or high-temperature caulk should work. You may have to cut or trim the aluminum to fit. Wear protective gloves and use caution! Make sure insulation doesn’t rest flush against the chimneys.
- Weatherstrip the attic hatch. Self-adhesive weather-stripping is convenient and prevents massive energy loss around the hatch door.
A high-quality roof and adequate insulation are also key factors in maximizing efficiency. Attic sealing can be a daunting task for many Metrowest Boston homeowners. Call Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for a professional touch. Our friendly team will get your project done right the first time, every time!
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about attic sealing and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!
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