WHY SEAL AND INSULATE? 

Sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your 

home—its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and 

floors—is often the most cost effective way to improve 

energy efficiency and comfort. A knowledgeable 

homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on 

heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on total annual 

energy bills) by sealing and insulating. 

To Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR: 

• Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts, 

• Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat 

gain in summer, and 

• Choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows when 

replacing. 

BENEFITS 

• Lower utility bills 

• Improved comfort, especially during summer 

and winter 

• Reduced noise from outside 

• Less pollen, dust, and insects entering your home 

• Better humidity control 

GETTING STARTED 

If your attic is accessible and you like home improvement 

projects, check out our DIY Guide to Sealing and 

Insulating with ENERGY STAR, available at energystar.gov. 

The Guide offers step-by-step instructions for sealing 

common air leaks and adding insulation to the attic. 

For a more comprehensive approach, hire a contractor 

that uses special diagnostic tools to pinpoint and seal the 

hidden air leaks in your home. Ask local insulating 

companies or home energy professionals if they offer 

these services. 
 

WHAT IS 

ENERGY STAR®? 

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that 

helps us all to save money and protect our environment 

with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether 

you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your 

home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help. 

More than 60 kinds of products, including lighting, 

appliances, televisions, computers, heating and 

cooling equipment, and even new homes, can earn 

the government’s ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR 

also offers best practice solutions, like sealing and 

insulating your home, that can improve comfort and 

reduce energy costs. 

HELP PROTECT 

THE ENVIRONMENT 

Did you know that the average home produces twice the 

greenhouse gases as the average car? In fact, 15 percent 

of all greenhouse gases are generated from the energy 

used in houses nationwide. 

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary partnership 

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased 

energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumers 

and businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy, 

save money, and help protect the environment for future 

generations. 

SEAL AND INSULATE WITH 

ENERGY STAR 

• SEALING AIR LEAKS 

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they 

are easy to feel—like those around windows and doors. 

But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces 

are usually bigger problems. These leaks can make your 

home uncomfortable, waste energy, and cost you money. 

Different types of products can be used to address
 

different types of air leaks:
 

• Caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping for sealing 

smaller leaks; 

• Plywood, drywall, or rigid foam insulation for covering 

larger holes; and 

• Sheet metal and high-temperature caulk to close gaps 

around chimneys and furnace flues. 

• ADDING INSULATION 

Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and 

cool in the summer. There are several common types of 

insulation—fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), 

cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective 

insulation (or radiant barrier) can also help save energy 

in hot, sunny climates. When correctly installed, each type 

of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills, 

especially during the hottest and coldest times of the year. 

Insulation performance is measured by R-value—its ability 

to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating 

power. Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, 

basements and crawlspaces, depending on your area of 

the country. 

Because insulation works best when air is not moving 

through or around it, it is important to seal air leaks before 

installing insulation to ensure that you get the best 

performance. 

• CHOOSING ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED WINDOWS 

Windows are an important part of your home’s envelope. 

If you are replacing windows as part of a home improvement 

project, choose ENERGY STAR qualified models to save 

energy and money, increase the comfort of your home, and 

protect your valuable possessions from sun damage. Also 

look for ENERGY STAR qualified doors and skylights. 

For more information on Seal and Insulate 

with ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov 

or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937) 
WHAT IS

ENERGY STAR®?

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that

helps us all to save money and protect our environment

with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether

you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your

home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help.

More than 60 kinds of products, including lighting,

appliances, televisions, computers, heating and 

cooling equipment, and even new homes, can earn 

the government’s ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR 

also offers best practice solutions, like sealing and

insulating your home, that can improve comfort and

reduce energy costs.

HELP PROTECT 

THE ENVIRONMENT

Did you know that the average home produces twice the

greenhouse gases as the average car? In fact, 15 percent

of all greenhouse gases are generated from the energy

used in houses nationwide.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary partnership

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased

energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumers

and businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy,

save money, and help protect the environment for future

generations.

For more information on Seal and Insulate

with ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov 

or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)

SEAL AND INSULATE WITH

ENERGY STAR

• SEALING AIR LEAKS

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they

are easy to feel—like those around windows and doors.

But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces

are usually bigger problems. These leaks can make your

home uncomfortable, waste energy, and cost you money.

Different types of products can be used to address

different types of air leaks:

• Caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping for sealing

smaller leaks; 

• Plywood, drywall, or rigid foam insulation for covering

larger holes; and 

• Sheet metal and high-temperature caulk to close gaps

around chimneys and furnace flues.

• ADDING INSULATION

Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and

cool in the summer. There are several common types of

insulation—fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms),

cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. Reflective

insulation (or radiant barrier) can also help save energy 

in hot, sunny climates. When correctly installed, each type

of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills,

especially during the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Insulation performance is measured by R-value—its ability

to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating

power. Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics,

basements and crawlspaces, depending on your area of

the country.

Because insulation works best when air is not moving

through or around it, it is important to seal air leaks before

installing insulation to ensure that you get the best

performance.

• CHOOSING ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED WINDOWS

Windows are an important part of your home’s envelope. 

If you are replacing windows as part of a home improvement

project, choose ENERGY STAR qualified models to save

energy and money, increase the comfort of your home, and

protect your valuable possessions from sun damage. Also

look for ENERGY STAR qualified doors and skylights.