When you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home and lower your utility bills the first place to start is the entryway to your attic. Whether you have a vertical door or a pull down hatch, chances are it’s not insulated. Energy Auditor, Matt Coapman says this is an easy problem to fix. All you need is some rigid foam insulation, new weatherstripping and glue.

The first thing to do is take exact measurements of the attic door and then use those measurements to cut the rigid foam insulation. But, make sure to take one inch off the border of each side. Glue the new rigid insulation to the inside of the attic door. Matt suggests using Power Grab to glue the insulation in place. You can get it at any home improvement store in the caulk section. The rigid foam insulation you use should have a shiny, foil side. That creates a radiant barrier and will reflect heat away from the inside of your home during the summertime. Remove the old weatherstripping and replace with new. You might also need to install new hardware to make sure the attic door is shutting tightly.

The whole project should take you about 30 minutes and cost about $20 per door. This minimal investment in your home will pay for itself in just a few months.

Insulating attic doors is an inexpensive and highly effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home and you’ll be on your way to saving on your energy bills immediately!