Is Air Sealing the Attic Worth It?

Home improvement isn’t always affordable, so many homeowners delay some projects until necessary. But, one task you should consider is air sealing your attic. Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about this process, including the savings, to help determine if it’s worth the investment.

Air Sealing an Attic: What the Project Involves

Air sealing an attic is a labor-intensive process that involves closing holes in your attic’s walls, ceilings, and floors. You’ll need various tools and safety equipment to get started, including unfaced fiberglass insulation, garbage bags, a roll of aluminum flashing, a caulk gun, and a can of expanding spray foam insulation.

Completing this project yourself is possible, but it requires a lot of patience, a willingness to learn, and some trial and error.

Instead, we recommend recruiting a professional to do the job. A professional can work safely in small spaces with poor ventilation. And they can finish air sealing your attic efficiently so your household can resume daily routines.

Does My Home Require Attic Air Sealing?

Not every attic requires air sealing. Here are some telltale signs that indicate yours does:

• Cold and hot rooms (uneven temperature between rooms)
• Drafty rooms
• Abnormally high cooling or heating bills
• Icy dams or dry indoor air during the winter
• Dust (especially in rooms located directly underneath your attic)

If you notice one or more of the following signs, you might have a few air leaks on your hands that require sealing.

How Much Does It Cost to Air Seal an Attic?

The cost of air sealing an attic can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the attic, the extent of the air leaks, and the type of materials used. On average, air sealing an attic can range from $1,500 to $3,000.

If you hire a professional contractor to do the job, the cost will likely be higher due to labor and material expenses. However, it is important to note that air sealing an attic can save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills and improving the overall comfort of your home.

Additionally, some DIY options are available for air sealing an attic that can save you money. For example, you can purchase weather stripping and caulk to seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings in the attic.

It is important to consult a professional to determine the best course of action for your attic and get an accurate cost estimate.

How Much Can Air Sealing an Attic Save Me?

Some homeowners may cringe at the initial cost of air sealing services. However, these services are well worth the money in the long run.

According to the EPA, homeowners lose between 25 and 30% of their cooling and heating energy via attic air leaks.

Depending on the size of your home, you can save up to $200 per year on your heating and cooling costs when you address air leaks. If you spend $1,000 on attic air sealing services, you’ll earn a 20% ROI annually.

It’s easy to think of attic air sealing services as a costly expense. However, we encourage you to think of them as a long-term investment. Over the years, the investment will pay for itself via how much you save on your cooling and heating bills.

Other Benefits of Air Sealing an Attic

Besides the direct savings on your heating and cooling costs, attic air sealing provides various other financial, health, and safety benefits. Check them out below:

Improved Home Comfort

After a long day at work, nothing feels better than returning to a house with a pleasant temperature. But, if you have air leaks in your attic, you’ll likely sit in uncomfortable conditions.

A porous attic will allow more heat to enter your living space during the warmer months. Once winter rolls around, these holes can result in substantial heat loss.

Depending on the time of year, you may need to crank up the A.C. or heater to remain comfortable. Getting into habits like these can add up. For example, some homeowners in certain U.S. regions allocate 70% of their electric bill to air conditioning alone during the summer months.

When you invest in air sealing services, you can close up any glaring holes and relax without adjusting your A.C. or heater every day.

Plus, air sealing your attic will also help all the rooms in your home remain at a consistent temperature. Walking from the living room to your bedroom, you won’t feel like you’re walking from the Sahara and into the Arctic Tundra.

Less Cleaning & Better Air Quality

Is there nothing you hate more than dust bunnies? If you have gaps in your attic, you may be all too familiar with them.

These holes can invite unwanted pollen, dirt, and other allergens and contaminants into your home. This air quality problem is especially severe in the summer, as dust rises with the warm air that enters your upstairs space.

You can improve the air quality of your home by sealing gaps in your attics. Taking this initiative will prevent you from having to pull out the feather duster every day. It also acts as a great way to improve your family members’ allergy symptoms, especially for those with asthma or other respiratory health problems.

Pest Prevention

Uninvited pests are relentless — they’ll take advantage of any available opportunity to invade your home. Give them one less entry point by sealing up leaks in your attic.

When you close up larger holes, you can keep out large rodents like rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons.

While most homeowners address larger holes first, you should pay attention to the smaller ones. Patching up small gaps can keep smaller (but still dangerous) pests like cockroaches and termites at bay.

All types of pest prevention are essential, as these intruders can chew through wires and pick away at your home’s support beams.

And trust us. Your wallet will thank you. For example, did you know that homeowners with termite problems pay around $3,000 on average to repair the resulting damage? When you invest in attic air sealing services, you can keep peace in your home (and your wallet shut).

Reduced Moisture & Mold

After several heavy downpours, a small hole in your roof can lead to significant water damage in your attic. This added moisture would likely lead to unsightly mold growth, which can:

• Leave foul odors behind
• Damage your home’s structural integrity
• Ruin your furniture or other precious belongings
• Cause health issues

And mold remediation is a costly undertaking. It can set you back as much as $6,000, depending on the size and severity of the affected area.

Does Air Sealing the Attic Work?

Yes, air sealing the attic can effectively improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Attics are often a major source of air leaks, leading to drafts, heat loss in the winter, and heat gain in the summer.

By sealing air leaks in the attic, you can prevent conditioned air from escaping and outside air from entering the home, which helps maintain a more consistent temperature and reduce the workload on your HVAC system.

Additionally, air sealing the attic can improve indoor air quality by reducing the infiltration of outdoor pollutants, allergens, and other contaminants.

However, it’s important to note that air sealing the attic should be done correctly and with the right materials to avoid potential problems such as moisture buildup or poor ventilation. It’s best to talk to a professional to determine the best course of action for your home and ensure that the air sealing is done properly.

Combining Attic Air Sealing & Insulation

Combining attic air sealing and insulation is a highly recommended approach to improving your home’s energy efficiency. Both techniques work together to create a more effective thermal barrier in your attic, which can significantly impact your heating and cooling bills.

Air sealing is identifying and sealing all the gaps, cracks, and other openings in your attic that allow air to escape or enter your home. By preventing air leaks, you can keep the conditioned air inside your home, reduce the workload on your HVAC system, and improve the overall comfort of your living space. Attic air sealing can also improve indoor air quality by preventing outdoor pollutants from entering your home.

Insulation, on the other hand, helps reduce heat transfer between your attic and living space. Properly installed insulation can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, which makes your home more energy-efficient and reduces your energy bills.

Combining air sealing and insulation in your attic creates a more complete and effective thermal barrier. By sealing air leaks and adding insulation, you can create a more consistent and comfortable living environment while reducing energy bills. This can also extend the life of your HVAC system by reducing its workload and preventing wear and tear.

It’s important to note that air sealing and insulation should be done correctly to avoid problems such as moisture buildup or poor ventilation. Consulting with a professional can help ensure the process is done correctly and safely.