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Step 4 - Building Envelope 

Insulations and leaks 

1. Wall insulation  ____ (points)
   • Are your outside walls insulated? shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. You should be able to see whether or not insulation is in the wall. Also, you should check separate outlets on the first and second floor, and in old and new parts of the house, because wall insulation in one wall doesn't necessarily mean that it's everywhere in the house.
   • If they are insulated, give yourself 8 points.
   • No insulation? Sorry, give yourself 0 points
2. Ceiling (top floor only) insulation levels   ____ (points)
   • If insulation is 18” or more & is evenly distributed, add 8 points.
   • If insulation is 15” to 18" or more & is evenly distributed, add 7 points.
   • If insulation is 12” to 15" or more & is evenly distributed, add 6 points.
   • If insulation is 8” to 12” high, add 5 points.
   • If insulation is 6” to 8” high, add 4 points.
   • If insulation is 3” to 6” high, add 2 points.
   • If insulation is less than 3”, subtract 1 point!
   • If insulation has been disturbed and not even, subtract 1 point!
3. Weather stripping    ____ (points)
   • Do you have weather stripping at each exterior door?
   • For each door that is properly weather-stripped, add 2 points.
   • For each door with an operable storm door, add 1 point.
4. Caulking    ____ (points)
   • If all windows, doors, pipe penetrations and joints are sealed tight, add 5 points.
   • If only windows and doors are sealed tight, add 4 points.
   • If caulking is present around windows and doors yet starting to crack and break, add 2 points.
   • If most caulking is cracking and exposing seams, subtract 1 points.
   • If caulking is non existent, subtract 5 points!
5. Windows   ____ (points)
   • If your windows are new, shut tight, thermal paned and low E glass, give yourself 6 points.
   • If your windows are shut tight and are thermal paned, give yourself 4 points.
   • If you have storms windows (that work) & tight primary windows, give yourself 3 points.
   • If you have some storm windows and fairly tight primary windows, give yourself 1 point.
   • If you have metal framed windows (with or without storms), subtract 1 point!
   • If you have more that 3 windows can’t close and all are in poor shape, subtract 3 points!
6. Old Fireplace   ____ (points)
   • If you use your old fireplace, subtract 3 points!
   • If your damper is off its hinges and can’t close entirely, Subtract another 3 points!
7. Attic bypasses   ____ (points)
   • If attic bypasses (where you see dirty discolored insulation you have air bypasses) have been air sealed with foam or caulk, add 4 points.
8. Attic hatch or pull down stair insulation   ____ (points)
   Does your attic hatch or pull down stairs have an insulation cover?
   If so, add 1 point. If the hatch is weather-stripped and closes tightly, add another 1 point.

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