If cool air escapes through your attic, your AC has to work overtime, which spikes your energy costs. HVAC specialists suggest a quick fix: weatherstripping your attic hatch.
This $7 Topiverse Weather Stripping Door Seal at Amazon can reduce your cooling costs by 15% all year long. This straightforward task is manageable, even for novice DIYers, and takes only minutes to complete.
Here’s how HVAC experts suggest weatherstripping your attic hatch to lower energy expenses.
Prevent Cool Air from Escaping Through Your Attic Hatch
Energy Star and EPA estimates indicate that sealing areas where treated air might leak, like attics, can save around 15% on cooling costs in the summer and on heating in the winter. It’s an affordable way to keep energy bills manageable as temperatures rise.
Devin Henry, president of Nomadic Real Estate, states, "The attic hatch is a significant source of air leaks, with 25-40% of a typical home's energy consumption for cooling attributed to them."
During the summer, the attic can reach temperatures of 150°F, pushing hot air down into your living space and forcing your AC to run longer than necessary.
Essentially, gaps around the hatch let hot air seep into your home while allowing cool air to escape. In winter, this can also contribute to heating costs.
"An unsealed attic hatch is essentially just an opening in your ceiling," Devin emphasizes, highlighting the importance of sealing it as the weather heats up.
Steps to Weatherstrip Your Attic Hatch
Daniel Cabrera, owner of Roof Direct San Antonio, shares a simple method for weatherstripping the hatch that requires minimal DIY skills. A $7.49 weatherstrip kit at Amazon contains everything you’ll need for the job.
“Start by cleaning the edges of the hatch frame to ensure good adhesion for the tape. Next, apply self-adhesive weather stripping foam all around the hatch frame where it meets,” he advises.
To clean the hatch frame, vacuum up dust, wipe it down with a soapy cloth, and handle any mold issues. With this $8.90 microfiber cloth set at Walmart and $3.88 Zep Mold & Mildew Remover at Walmart, you'll be ready to go. Ensure the surface is dry before applying the tape.
Not sealing the attic hatch is a common summer HVAC mistake that can lead to higher energy bills. If you've sealed it before, check the existing sealant, as temperature and humidity can degrade it over time, necessitating replacement.
Shopping List
To minimize air leaks between your attic and home, grab a weatherstripping kit and a few basic cleaning supplies.
All prices were accurate at publication.
Affordable
This insulation kit comes in multiple sizes to fit your attic hatch perfectly.
Stock up
Keep your attic hatch frame clean, as self-adhesive foam doesn’t bond well to dirty surfaces. These microfiber cloths are also great for other cleaning tasks.
Effective cleaning
This gentle dish soap is perfect for scrubbing dust and dirt off your attic hatch frame.
Quick mold remover
As mold is a common issue around attic hatches, ensure you eliminate any before applying weatherstripping.
For unique frames
This foam kit’s wedge shape is perfect for insulating irregularly shaped frames.
Slim tape
This thinner tape isn’t as insulating but is less noticeable and still helps reduce energy bills.
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