Pipes
Your Attic
Hobby-Friendly Garages
New Exterior Walls
Renovated Basements
Doors and Windows
Ceilings Without Insulation
Upper Roof Trusses
Cold Floors
Outdoor Faucets
Vents and Ductwork
Weatherstrip Hatches and Doors
After sealing the attic bypasses, push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or a stick as you back out of the attic. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self-sticking foam weatherstrip. You may have to add new wood stops to provide a better surface for the weatherstrip and enough room for hook-and-eye fasteners. Position the screw eyes so that you slightly compress the weatherstrip when you latch the hatch. Use a similar procedure if you have a hinged door that leads to the attic.
Air Leakage Points
Chimneys
Crawlspaces
Places Where Insulation is Old or Damaged
Exterior Foundation Walls
Insulate and dress up bare foundation walls using coated rigid insulation. Use termite resistant insulation for termite infested regions. Learn more about how to do this project here.
Stop Drafts—and Mice!
Seal the Rim Joists
Caulk and Cover Room Air Conditioners
A room air conditioner keeps a section of the house cool. The problem is, it'll keep the room cool all winter long if it isn't covered properly. If you have a window unit, the best solution is to remove it so the cold air won't flow through and around it. If you decide to leave it in or you have a permanently installed wall unit, grab some removable caulk and a window air conditioner cover to keep out the cold. And if you have a central air conditioner unit, cleaning it annually can also save you energy and money.
Place the cover over the outside of the air conditioner, fitting the sewn-in corner straps over the bottom corners. Wrap the middle straps under and up the sides of the unit, then hook them over the top. Inside the house, apply removable caulk around the air conditioner where it meets the wall or window. If the air conditioner is a built-in unit, permanently seal it with latex caulk.