If cool air is leaking out of gaps in your attic, then the AC has to work harder, resulting in a higher energy bill. But HVAC pros have revealed a simple trick for better insulation as the weather continues to warm up: Weatherstripping your attic hatch.
This $7 Topiverse Weather Stripping Door Seal at Amazon is all you need to shave 15% off your cooling (and heating) costs year-round. It's a simple application that even inexperienced DIYers will be able to achieve at home, in minutes.
Here, HVAC and maintenance professionals reveal how to weatherstrip your attic hatch to reduce your energy bills.
Don't Let Cooled Air Escape Through Your Attic Hatch This Summer
According to Energy Star and EPA estimates, insulating areas of the home where treated air can leak, such as attics, can save on average 15% off your cooling costs over summer, and heating costs come winter. It's an inexpensive solution to keep energy bills low this spring and summer.
'According to the US Department of Energy, 25-40% of the energy consumed in cooling a typical home is due to air leaks, and the attic hatch is a notorious culprit,' shares Devin Henry, president of Nomadic Real Estate.
'In the summer, the hot air in the attic, reaching up to 150°F on a bad day, forces its way down into your living room and causes your air conditioner to run longer than it needs to,' he continues.
Effectively, a hatch with gaps around allows hot air to spread downward into the house, while cool air from your AC escapes upward. And in winter, it's one of the many attic tweaks you can make to spend less on heating.
'One of the largest sources of air leakage in a home is the attic, and an unsealed hatch is simply an opening in your ceiling,' says Devin, emphasizing the importance of this step before the weather heats up.
How to Do It
Daniel Cabrera, owner of Roof Direct San Antonio, explains how to weatherstrip the hatch, using minimal DIY skills and time. A simple $7.49 weatherstrip kit at Amazon will include everything you need for installation.
'First, clean the edges of the hatch frame to allow proper bonding of the adhesive tape. Then, apply self-adhesive weather stripping foam tape on the entire circumference of the hatch frame where it comes into contact,' he says.
To clean the hatch frame, you'll need to vacuum up any dust, wipe it with a damp, soapy cloth, and treat any mold if present. With this $8.90 microfiber cloth set at Walmart and this $3.88 Zep Mold & Mildew Remover at Walmart, you'll be fully set. Make sure the surface is fully dry before applying the tape.
Failing to seal the gaps around your attic hatch is a common HVAC summer mistake that will unnecessarily drive up your energy bills while the weather is warmer. If you have done this task in the past, check the existing sealant, as temperature and humidity changes can cause seal failure over time, and need to be replaced.
What to Shop
To reduce the air seepage between your attic and the rest of your home, you'll be fully set with a weatherstripping kit and a few basic cleaning tools.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Available in six sizes to fit to your frame, this door sealing kit is made of self-adhesive foam tape to insulate your attic hatch.
You'll need to thoroughly clean the attic hatch frame, as self-adhesive foam sticks poorly to a surface that's dusty or dirty. Microfiber cloths and some dish soap are perfect, and can be used around the house for other cleaning tasks, too.
Mild dish soap is ideal for cleaning dust and grime off your attic hatch frame.
The attic hatch is a common culprit for mold growth, so make sure to remove any before applying weatherstripping.
The wedge shape of this foam kit is ideal for insulating frames of irregular shapes.
Not quite as insulating, but less obtrusive, this thin tape design still offers improved insulation to keep energy bills low.
Next, learn clever ways to reuse AC water, and the five signs it's time to replace your AC unit.
