Skip to content

Home energy assessment before insulation work checklist

A pre-project checklist for reviewing comfort complaints and energy use, documenting enclosure and HVAC conditions, identifying air leakage and missing or damaged insulation, separating roof or plumbing leaks and indoor humidity from heat-loss symptoms, assessing ventilation and combustion equipment, defining safe diagnostic testing, prioritizing high-value measures, checking utility or tax-program documentation and issuing a room-by-room scope before insulation products or contractor bids are selected.

6 items to check

Inspection progress0 of 6
0%

Comfort, moisture, ice-dam, noise, indoor-air and energy goals are documented by location and season

Critical item

The scope should solve observed problems rather than chase a single R-value.

Accessible attic, walls, floors, rim joists, crawlspaces, ducts and openings are surveyed

Critical item

Heat, air and moisture paths should be considered together.

Roof, flashing, plumbing, condensate, soil and indoor humidity sources are evaluated first

Critical item

Wet assemblies should not be sealed or covered.

Ventilation, ducts, pressure boundaries and combustion appliances are included in the plan

Critical item

Envelope work can alter airflow and combustion safety.

Blower-door, infrared, duct or combustion testing is selected only where useful and conditions allow

Critical item

Diagnostics should answer defined questions and be interpreted by qualified persons.

Priorities, quantities, access, safety corrections, verification and incentives are written into one scope

Critical item

Bids should describe equivalent work and acceptance.

Use before buying insulation. ENERGY STAR and DOE guidance place air sealing and insulation within a whole-house assessment rather than a blind material upgrade. Do not enter unsafe attics or crawlspaces, step between framing, disturb suspect vermiculite or other hazardous materials, cover exposed electrical hazards, block combustion air or vents, seal active moisture, or work near hot flues and recessed fixtures without required clearances and qualified review. Air sealing can change building pressures and combustion behavior.

Reference standards

  • A current home energy assessment where appropriate, locally adopted building, energy, fire, mechanical and electrical requirements, approved project details, climate and moisture conditions, existing combustion equipment, hazardous-material findings, permits and inspections, utility or rebate program rules, and exact air-sealing, insulation, ventilation, firestop and equipment instructions
  • ENERGY STAR Seal and Insulate guidance and DOE Building Science Education air-sealing resources

    • Tools

  • Energy bills, plans, attic and crawlspace records, equipment data, permits, rebate requirements, photographs and material certificates
  • Camera, flashlight, tape, depth markers, ruler and owner-safe observation tools; qualified blower-door, pressure, infrared, moisture, combustion and electrical measurements where appropriate
  • Qualified energy assessor, insulation and air-sealing contractor, electrician, HVAC or combustion-safety professional, roofer and environmental specialist as needed

    • Related Checklists

    Attic prework condition before air sealing checklist

    A pre-entry and prework attic checklist for confirming safe access and walking surfaces, identifying roof leaks and wet or deteriorated sheathing, locating suspect vermiculite or other hazardous material, mapping wiring, junction boxes and recessed lights, checking flues, chimneys and heat-producing equipment, tracing bathroom and kitchen exhaust, documenting existing ventilation and baffles, evaluating storage and pest contamination, protecting occupied areas and approving corrections before insulation is moved or air sealing begins.

    Attic air sealing before insulation checklist

    A pre-insulation air-sealing checklist for defining the pressure boundary, exposing and sealing top plates, plumbing and wiring penetrations, chases, dropped soffits, partition transitions and attic hatches with compatible materials; treating large openings with rigid backing, preserving flue and electrical clearances, coordinating kneewalls and ducts, avoiding moisture trapping, documenting concealed work and verifying completeness before loose fill, batts or spray foam make bypasses difficult to find.

    Attic combustion, electrical and fire clearance checklist

    A pre-insulation checklist for qualified review of chimneys, metal and factory-built flues, combustion-air openings, draft and venting concerns, recessed luminaires, transformers, fans, motors, junction boxes and wiring; constructing approved dams or guards where required, preserving service access, restoring fireblocking and rated penetrations, protecting heat-producing equipment from insulation contact, documenting manufacturer-listed clearances and correcting unsafe conditions before spray foam, loose fill, batts or sealants are installed.

    Attic ventilation baffles before insulation checklist

    A pre-cover attic ventilation checklist for confirming the approved vented or unvented roof strategy, documenting soffit and other intake openings, installing durable baffles that maintain the designed air path, protecting insulation from wind washing, keeping roof vents, fans and mechanical exhaust distinct, preserving clearances at roof decks and eaves, sealing the ceiling boundary below, coordinating narrow bays and obstructions and photographing each eave before insulation hides the intake and baffle work.

    All checklists in category «Insulation, air sealing and attic control»