Fillable checklist

Insulation Inspection Checklist: Attic, Walls, and Ducts (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable visual insulation check for attic, walls, crawl or basement, ducts, and air sealing. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 7 sections · 39 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against ENERGY STAR, 2021 IECC, InterNACHI, and ASHI · Last verified Sep 1, 2026

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Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a visual insulation inspection of a US house: attic, walls if you can see them, crawl or basement, ducts, and air-sealing clues. Recommended R-values change by climate zone and by adopted code year. Do not mark one R-value Pass or Fail for every house. Mark N/A on stations the house does not have.

  • 7 sections
  • 39 checks
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Form details

Property

This is a visual template, not a licensed home inspection report, not an energy audit, and not a municipal code inspection. InterNACHI 3.9 asks you to describe insulation type and the approximate average attic depth. ASHI section 11 inspects visible insulation and vapor retarders and is not required to identify R-value. Adopted IECC and IRC years vary by state and city.

12 fields
Property

DOE and ENERGY STAR map R-values to IECC climate zones. Look up the county if you do not know the zone. Leave Unknown rather than guessing a Pass or Fail R-value.

Hatch, pull-down stairs, kneewall door, or gable. Write N/A if there is no attic.

InterNACHI 3.9: do not enter if the attic is not readily accessible, entry could cause damage, or it looks unsafe. Walk joists or boards, not drywall. Stop and leave if you see vermiculite.

InterNACHI 3.9 requires describing the type observed. ENERGY STAR: vermiculite is a lightweight, pea-size, flaky gray mineral. EPA: assume vermiculite may contain asbestos and do not disturb it.

InterNACHI 3.9: record approximate average depth at the unfinished attic floor or roof. Example: about 8 inches at midspan, thin at eaves. This is not an R-value Pass or Fail.

Use this to mark the crawl or basement station N/A on a slab-only house.

ASHI 2026 approved text asks you to state presence or absence of a radiant barrier. That text is approved and not yet the effective ASHI SOP. Record what you can see on the roof deck.

Inspection station

Attic insulation

Look at what you can see from a safe path. Do not mark one attic R-value Pass or Fail for every climate. ENERGY STAR, DOE, and 2021 IECC list different targets by zone. Mark N/A if there is no attic.

11 items
Attic insulation

Attic entered or reason for viewing from the hatch only

InterNACHI 3.9 and ASHI: inspectors are not required to enter an attic that is not readily accessible or looks unsafe. Record the method in the header either way.

Attic entered or reason for viewing from the hatch only: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation present at the unfinished attic floor or roof

InterNACHI 3.9: report the general absence of insulation in unfinished spaces. A cathedral or foam roof deck can still be OK if that is the thermal boundary. Bare joist bays over living space are a defect.

Insulation present at the unfinished attic floor or roof: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation looks even, with no large bare spots or thin eaves

ENERGY STAR DIY checks: it is important that insulation be evenly distributed with no low spots. Sometimes the middle looks deep and the eaves are almost bare. Do not convert depth to a single house-wide R-value Pass or Fail.

Insulation looks even, with no large bare spots or thin eaves: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation not sitting at or below the joists across most of the attic

ENERGY STAR quick check: if insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need more. If it is well above the joists, adding more may not be cost-effective. That is a clue, not a climate-zone R-value test. 2021 IECC ceiling targets (DOE and BASC) run from R-30 in Zone 1 to R-60 in Zones 4 through 8.

Insulation not sitting at or below the joists across most of the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation not wet, matted, or stained from a roof or exhaust leak

ENERGY STAR: wet or damp insulation indicates a leaky roof. Hire a professional before adding more. Dirty insulation from house air can stay in place after air sealing. Wet, moldy, or rotted framing is a defect.

Insulation not wet, matted, or stained from a roof or exhaust leak: OK, Defect, or N/A

No vermiculite, or vermiculite noted and left undisturbed

EPA: vermiculite is pebble-like, usually gray-brown or silver-gold. Assume it may contain asbestos. Do not disturb it, do not store items on it, and do not remove it yourself. ENERGY STAR: do not disturb vermiculite unless a lab has tested it. Mark N/A if none is present.

No vermiculite, or vermiculite noted and left undisturbed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Attic hatch or pull-down stairs insulated on the attic side

A bare hatch is a large hole in the attic insulation plane. 2021 IECC Table R402.4.1.1 (DOE): access openings, drop-down stairs, or knee wall doors to an unconditioned attic shall be sealed. Weatherstrip belongs on the air-sealing station. Mark N/A if there is no hatch.

Attic hatch or pull-down stairs insulated on the attic side: OK, Defect, or N/A

Eave or soffit intake path not buried under insulation

Vented attics need a clear intake at the eaves. Baffles or dams keep blown insulation from blocking soffit vents. InterNACHI is not required to judge whether ventilation is adequate. Mark Defect if vents are stuffed full. Mark N/A on an unvented foam roof.

Eave or soffit intake path not buried under insulation: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation held back from metal flues and masonry chimneys

ENERGY STAR: codes usually require about 1 inch from metal flues and 2 inches from masonry chimneys to combustibles, including insulation, then a metal dam. IRC R1003.18 (DOE BASC): interior masonry chimneys need 2 inches of air space, not filled except fireblocking. Some DOE briefs use a 3-inch dam. Sources do not agree on one number. Mark Defect if insulation is piled against a hot flue. Put a measured gap in Notes.

Insulation held back from metal flues and masonry chimneys: OK, Defect, or N/A

No knob-and-tube wiring in contact with insulation

ENERGY STAR and DOE BASC: active knob-and-tube (often pre-1930) is a fire hazard when buried in insulation. Hire a professional. Do not add insulation over it. Mark N/A if no knob-and-tube is visible.

No knob-and-tube wiring in contact with insulation: OK, Defect, or N/A

Attic ventilation openings present if the attic is a vented design

InterNACHI 3.9: inspect ventilation of unfinished spaces and report a general absence. Inspectors are not required to determine adequacy. Soffit, ridge, gable, or roof vents count. Mark N/A on a sealed, unvented attic.

Attic ventilation openings present if the attic is a vented design: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Walls if visible

Most finished walls hide the cavity. ENERGY STAR: check a representative outlet with the power off. Do not open walls to hunt for vermiculite (EPA). Mark N/A where you cannot see insulation.

5 items
Walls if visible

Exterior wall cavity shows insulation at a representative outlet or opening

ENERGY STAR: turn off power, confirm the outlet is dead, remove the cover, and shine a light into the gap around the box. Exterior walls should have insulation and be fully filled. Do not pry the box out. Mark N/A if you cannot see into any cavity.

Exterior wall cavity shows insulation at a representative outlet or opening: OK, Defect, or N/A

Same visible check on more than one floor or on an addition

ENERGY STAR: check outlets on all floors and in old and new parts of the house. Insulation in one wall does not mean it is everywhere. Mark N/A on a one-story house with no addition if the first check already covered it.

Same visible check on more than one floor or on an addition: OK, Defect, or N/A

Open wall cavities (remodel, damage, or unfinished) are filled, not empty

Use only cavities you can see without demolition. Empty 2x4 bays on an exterior wall are a defect. Do not invent a single wall R-value Pass or Fail. 2021 IECC wood-frame walls (DOE) range from R-13 in Zones 1 and 2 to cavity plus continuous insulation in colder zones.

Open wall cavities (remodel, damage, or unfinished) are filled, not empty: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible rim or band joists insulated

Rim joists at a basement or crawl are often the only wall-plane insulation you can see. DOE 2021 IECC air-barrier table: rim joists are a listed leak and insulation location. Mark N/A if no rim joist is visible (finished basement or slab).

Visible rim or band joists insulated: OK, Defect, or N/A

No claim that hidden walls meet a climate-zone R-value

This line is a reminder, not a measurement. Mark OK if you recorded only what you saw and did not assign a house-wide wall R-value. Mark Defect if someone treated an unseen cavity as a Pass. ENERGY STAR wall upgrades (drill-and-fill or foam sheathing) apply when siding is off, not on this visual walk.

No claim that hidden walls meet a climate-zone R-value: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Crawl space and basement

Inspect the thermal boundary you can see: the floor above an unconditioned crawl, or the walls of a conditioned crawl or basement. Mark the whole station N/A on a slab-only house.

8 items
Crawl space and basement

Crawl or basement reached, or reason it was viewed from the opening only

InterNACHI: do not enter if the space is not readily accessible or looks unsafe. ASHI is not required to enter a tight crawl. Record storage that blocks the walls.

Crawl or basement reached, or reason it was viewed from the opening only: OK, Defect, or N/A

Floor insulation present over an unconditioned crawl, garage, or similar void

ENERGY STAR retrofit floors (2021 IECC basis): about R-13 in Zones 1 and 2, R-19 in Zones 3 and 4A/4B, R-30 in Zones 4C and 5 and 6, R-38 in Zones 7 and 8. Those are targets, not one Pass or Fail. Mark N/A if the thermal boundary is the foundation wall instead.

Floor insulation present over an unconditioned crawl, garage, or similar void: OK, Defect, or N/A

Floor batts in contact with the subfloor, not hanging or fallen

IECC installation criteria: insulation should be in substantial contact and aligned with the air barrier. Fallen batts, gaps at rims, and compressed faces lose R-value. Mark N/A if there is no floor insulation by design.

Floor batts in contact with the subfloor, not hanging or fallen: OK, Defect, or N/A

Foundation-wall insulation present if that is the thermal boundary

Unvented or conditioned crawls and many basements insulate the wall, not the floor. ENERGY STAR (2021 IECC): Zone 3 about R-5 continuous or R-13 batt; Zones 4A and 4B about R-10 or R-13; Zones 4C and 5 through 8 about R-15 or R-19. 2021 IECC also lists zone-by-zone basement and crawl wall values. Mark N/A if the floor is the boundary or if walls are finished and hidden.

Foundation-wall insulation present if that is the thermal boundary: OK, Defect, or N/A

Crawl-wall insulation permanently attached, not loose on the dirt

2021 IECC Table R402.4.1.1 (DOE): crawl space insulation, where provided instead of floor insulation, shall be permanently attached to the walls. Batts lying on the ground are a defect. Mark N/A if there is no wall insulation.

Crawl-wall insulation permanently attached, not loose on the dirt: OK, Defect, or N/A

Exposed earth in an unvented crawl covered with a Class I vapor retarder

2021 IECC / IRC (DOE): overlapping joints taped, edges at least 6 inches up the stem wall. ENERGY STAR and EPA also call for a ground cover in dirt crawls. Mark N/A on a concrete crawl floor, a vented crawl that uses floor insulation only, or a basement slab.

Exposed earth in an unvented crawl covered with a Class I vapor retarder: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation not wet, moldy, or sitting in standing water

Wet crawl or basement insulation is a defect even if the R-value label looks high. Dry the leak path before anyone adds more. Mark N/A if no under-floor insulation exists.

Insulation not wet, moldy, or sitting in standing water: OK, Defect, or N/A

Faced batts oriented as installed, not ripped open into the crawl air

InterNACHI and ASHI are not required to move vapor retarders. Report a torn or hanging face you can see. Do not invent a facing Pass or Fail for every climate. Mark N/A if insulation is unfaced or not visible.

Faced batts oriented as installed, not ripped open into the crawl air: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Ducts

Inspect ducts you can see in the attic, crawl, basement, or garage. ENERGY STAR and 2021 IECC do not use one duct R-value for every size and climate. Mark N/A if there are no ducts, or none are visible.

7 items
Ducts

Visible ducts in attic, crawl, basement, or garage walked

ENERGY STAR: start with ducts you can see. Many runs are buried in walls or chases. Note what you could not see.

Visible ducts in attic, crawl, basement, or garage walked: OK, Defect, or N/A

Ducts in unconditioned space have insulation wrap or a factory jacket

ENERGY STAR DIY guide: use duct insulation rated at least R-6 after you seal leaks. 2021 IECC (DOE): supply and return ducts outside conditioned space need at least R-8 when 3 inches in diameter or larger, and at least R-6 when smaller. Do not mark one R-value Pass or Fail for every duct. Mark Defect if a run in a hot attic or cold crawl is bare.

Ducts in unconditioned space have insulation wrap or a factory jacket: OK, Defect, or N/A

Duct insulation not torn, missing at joints, or crushed

ENERGY STAR: gaps, torn wrap, and squashed flex waste energy. Seal first, then repair or replace the jacket. Compressed insulation does not deliver its labeled R-value.

Duct insulation not torn, missing at joints, or crushed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Joints and connections look sealed with mastic or foil tape, not cloth duct tape

ENERGY STAR: seal with mastic or metal-backed foil tape. Never use cloth duct tape; it is not long-lasting. 2021 IECC: seal ducts, air handlers, and filter boxes to the IRC or IMC joint rules.

Joints and connections look sealed with mastic or foil tape, not cloth duct tape: OK, Defect, or N/A

Flexible ducts not kinked, torn, disconnected, or piled in a heap

ENERGY STAR: tangled or crushed flex is a common defect. Look for disconnected ends in the attic or crawl. Mark N/A if all visible ducts are rigid.

Flexible ducts not kinked, torn, disconnected, or piled in a heap: OK, Defect, or N/A

Register boots tight to the floor, wall, or ceiling they pierce

ENERGY STAR and 2021 IECC Table R402.4.1.1: HVAC register boots that penetrate the thermal envelope shall be sealed to the subfloor, wall, or ceiling. A loose boot dumps air into the attic or floor bay.

Register boots tight to the floor, wall, or ceiling they pierce: OK, Defect, or N/A

No disconnected supply or return that you can see

ENERGY STAR: about 20 to 30 percent of the air in a typical house duct system is lost to leaks and poor connections. A separated Y or a return sucking crawl air is a defect. This is not a duct-blaster test.

No disconnected supply or return that you can see: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Air sealing clues

Air sealing comes before adding insulation. ENERGY STAR: plug large holes first. Dirty or frosty insulation is a clue that house air is moving through. This is visual only, not a blower-door result.

8 items
Air sealing clues

Attic hatch, pull-down stairs, or kneewall door weatherstripped or gasketed

2021 IECC Table R402.4.1.1: those openings to an unconditioned attic shall be sealed. A gap around a hatch can leak more than a small plumbing hole. Mark N/A if there is no attic opening.

Attic hatch, pull-down stairs, or kneewall door weatherstripped or gasketed: OK, Defect, or N/A

No dirty, frosty, or water-stained insulation at obvious attic bypasses

ENERGY STAR: darkened insulation filters dusty house air. In cold weather you may see frost. In warm weather, the same spots may stain. The insulation can stay after the hole is sealed. Large holes at walls, soffits, and kneewalls matter most.

No dirty, frosty, or water-stained insulation at obvious attic bypasses: OK, Defect, or N/A

Plumbing, wiring, and bath-fan penetrations at the attic floor look sealed

ENERGY STAR and DOE: caulk or foam small gaps; do not use air-permeable insulation as the only seal (2021 IECC general rule). InterNACHI is not required to move insulation to find every hole. Report what you can see.

Plumbing, wiring, and bath-fan penetrations at the attic floor look sealed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Recessed lights and other ceiling cans not open holes into the attic

ENERGY STAR lists recessed lights as a major attic leak. Older non-IC cans also need clearance from insulation. Mark Defect if you see an open can or a clear air path. Mark N/A if there are no recessed lights.

Recessed lights and other ceiling cans not open holes into the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Kitchen, bath, and dryer exhaust terminate outdoors, not into the attic

ENERGY STAR and DOE BASC: fans that dump moist air into the attic need a contractor before you add insulation. InterNACHI 3.9 inspects mechanical exhaust in kitchens, baths, and laundry. A dryer or bath fan that ends in the insulation is a defect.

Kitchen, bath, and dryer exhaust terminate outdoors, not into the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Dropped soffits and open kneewall cavities blocked if you can see them

ENERGY STAR: the biggest attic leaks are often where inner and outer walls meet the attic, dropped soffits, and spaces behind or under kneewalls. Open stud bays into the attic are a defect. Mark N/A if none are visible.

Dropped soffits and open kneewall cavities blocked if you can see them: OK, Defect, or N/A

Gaps at furnace flues and masonry chimneys sealed with high-temperature materials

ENERGY STAR: use lightweight metal flashing and high-temperature caulk, then a metal dam. Do not spray foam against a hot flue. 2021 IECC: shafts and flues shall be sealed in a way that allows expansion and vibration.

Gaps at furnace flues and masonry chimneys sealed with high-temperature materials: OK, Defect, or N/A

Garage-to-house ceiling or wall not an open leak path if visible

2021 IECC Table R402.4.1.1: air sealing shall be provided between the garage and conditioned space. Look at the garage ceiling under a room and at shared walls. Mark N/A if there is no garage, or the plane is finished and hidden.

Garage-to-house ceiling or wall not an open leak path if visible: OK, Defect, or N/A

Form details

Findings and sign-off

List every Defect line here. This worksheet is not a licensed inspection report, not an energy-audit certificate, and not an official code inspection.

5 fields
Findings and sign-off

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References

  1. Recommended home insulation R-values by climate zone - ENERGY STAR
  2. DIY checks: attic depth, wall outlets, and air leaks - ENERGY STAR
  3. Attic air sealing project: bypasses, flues, vermiculite, and exhaust - ENERGY STAR
  4. Duct sealing and insulation in unconditioned space - ENERGY STAR
  5. Seal and Insulate DIY Guide (attic leaks and duct R-6) - ENERGY STAR
  6. 2021 IECC insulation and air-sealing essentials, including duct R-8 / R-6 - U.S. Department of Energy
  7. 2009-2021 IECC and IRC minimum insulation R-values by climate zone - DOE Building America Solution Center
  8. Sealing and insulating existing vented attics, code compliance brief - DOE Building America Solution Center
  9. Home Inspection Standards of Practice section 3.9, attic, insulation, and ventilation - InterNACHI
  10. Standard of Practice section 11, insulation (2026 approved text) - ASHI
  11. Protect your family from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation - U.S. EPA

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.