Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air.
Seal air leaks between your living space and your attic and/or crawl space. Leaks are common around plumbing and vents, heating ducts, light fixtures and wires. Be sure fixtures and wires are designed for direct insulation contact.
Install wall plate insulation gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls (turn off the power before installing gaskets).
Install a 6-mil vapor barrier between your living space and your crawl space to prevent moisture from entering your home. The barrier should be installed on the ground, stretched from wall-to-wall and covering all exposed dirt.
Make sure your attic and crawl space have adequate ventilation to vent out moisture and summer heat.
Selecting/Installing
The effectiveness of insulation is noted as an R-value, a measure of the material’s resistance to heat transfer. Higher R-values provide greater insulating value. R-values are additive – the more you add, the higher the R-value will be.
Use a ruler to check the existing insulation levels in your attic, ceilings, exterior walls, floors and crawl spaces.
Cellulose
Blown-in Fiberglass
Fiberglass Batting
Inches
R-Value
Inches
R-Value
Inches
R-Value
5.29
R-19
8.0
R-19
6.00
R-19
8.36
R-30
12.25
R-30
9.75
R-30
10.59
R-38
15.5
R-38
12.26
R-38
12.26
R-44
17.7
R-44
14.25
R-44
13.37
R-49
19.50
R-49
15.5
R-49
Add new insulation to the existing insulation to increase the R-value using the following guidelines:
House Area
Standard
Enhanced
Attic/Ceiling
R-38
R-50
Floor (over unconditioned space)
R-30
R-38+
Wall
R-20
R-22+
Use higher density insulation that has a higher R-value per inch of insulation in cathedral ceilings and in exterior walls.
