Stay comfortable with air sealing and insulation rebates.

Insulation protects the conditioned areas in your home from the unconditioned areas. Translation: It prevents outdoor air temperature from disturbing the temperature you’re enjoying inside. It also keeps attic heat and basement or crawlspace chill from crossing the thermal boundary into your living space. You can learn more about the benefits of insulation and air sealing here.

Insulation levels are rated by R-values, which measure insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. You can learn more about R-values here, or you can find a TVA-vetted contractor through our Quality Contractor Network to find out what kind of — and how much — insulation your home needs.

Attic insulation helps your home conserve energy by slowing down heat loss and heat gain. It can reduce the size of heating and cooling equipment needed.

The ENERGY STAR recommended insulation level for most attics is around R-49 to R-69, or about 14 to 20 inches, depending on insulation type. A member of the Quality Contractor Network can help you determine how much attic or wall insulation you need.

The amount of wall insulation you need is based on the size of your walls and the type of insulation that you and your contractor decide to install. Generally, exterior walls should be insulated to at least R-13. You can find a contractor through our Quality Contractor Network who can help you calculate how much insulation you need.

Air sealing is primarily done from the attic and crawlspaces/basements and this helps wall insulation do its job more effectively. Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. However, exterior walls typically have penetrations for electrical wiring and outlets, as well as gaps in the top, bottom and sides of the walls that can leak warm air into or out of your home. Besides increasing your heating and cooling costs, these air leaks can introduce water vapor into your walls, potentially resulting in condensation and damage.

Typical blown-in and batt insulation don’t stop air leakage. Air leaks need to be sealed with caulk or foam before installing insulation. But if penetrations and gaps are not accessible for air sealing, like with existing walls, installation of dense pack insulation (cellulose or fiberglass) or blown-in foam insulation will provide an adequate level of air sealing.