Air-sealing the house
The high-leverage leaks in a typical San Diego home and what fixing them does.
What you'll learn
- Why insulation alone leaves 30–50 percent of heat-loss savings on the table
- Where the biggest leaks usually are (top plates, can lights, attic hatch)
- What products actually work (caulk vs. foam vs. gasket)
- When a blower-door test pays for itself
Step by step
- Inspect the attic from below on a cool morning — feel for drafts at can lights and the attic hatch.
- Foam top plates (where exterior walls meet attic) from above.
- Replace non-airtight recessed lights or add airtight covers.
- Gasket and weatherstrip the attic hatch.
- Air-seal plumbing and HVAC chase penetrations.
Safety note
Always air-seal before insulating. Sealing existing insulation in place is messier, slower, and less effective.
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