At this time of year we often get people questioning the cost and effectiveness of upgrading the insulation in their home. This is often followed by questions with respect to upgrading windows in the spring.

There is no doubt that upgrading insulation in your home, or replacing windows with more energy efficient windows, will put money into your pocket over the long term.

However, it could be the case that your money is going where you'd least expect it: through your ceiling into unconditioned space, and out your roof.

Improperly sealed cavities such as electrical chases, heating chases, plumbing chases, window insulation (surrounding your existing window), and other such unlikely locations can result in huge energy losses.

For example, every time a single electrical line runs up your stud wall and into an attic space, the hole in the framing allows for more than just wiring to pass through. I have never seen a wire passing through a stud memember in an air tight fitting. By sealing off such air infiltration and exfiltration points, you could see more of the conditioned air within your home stay where it ought: inside!

Some of these points can be addressed by a skilled homeowner who is willing to climb around in the attic space. Some air leaks will require a more skilled tradesperson such as when you are attempting to flash a brick chimney and the studding around it. This type of application requires different chemicals and compounds, and may well require metal bending as well.

The other area that you should consider checking for proper insulation and air leakage is around the "belt" of  your home. This is the area where the joists of the main floor rest upon the foundation plate. This area should be properly insulated in each cavity, and any service entering (air conditioning lines) or exiting (gas barbecue lines) should be properly sealed off.

If you are not comfortable or inexperienced doing this kind of work, and would like assistance, a good place to start looking is the London Home Builders' Association web site.

For more information, have a look at the video posted here: http://www.finehomebuilding.com/pages/how-to-air-seal-attic/