Air sealing is a cost-effective, easy-to-install way to reduce energy costs and improve comfort. It stops outside air and conditioned indoor air from leaking uncontrollably through cracks, crevices, and gaps. It also helps to prevent moisture problems that affect occupant health and the structure’s durability.
Many older buildings were constructed without the stringent insulation requirements of the 2012 IECC. This is a major source of heating and cooling loss.
Heat Transfer
A gap or hole in the envelope of a building can allow air to flow through and create drafts. It can also let in contaminants and moisture, which can lead to comfort problems, mold, rot, and other damage and reduce the building’s durability. Air sealing stops unwanted drafts, heat loss and waste, while allowing for natural ventilation and increasing energy efficiency.
It’s important to understand the relationship between insulation and air sealing in order to maximize the benefits of each. Insulation is like the down lining in a winter coat, helping to keep warm air inside and cold air out. Air sealing is like the wind-breaker layer, stopping excess airflow, reducing energy costs and keeping the house comfortable year round.
When untreated gaps and leaks are present, conditioned or heated air can escape from the home, making your furnace and air conditioner work harder to maintain temperatures. Sealing these gaps and holes improves a home’s heating and cooling efficiency, resulting in reduced electricity bills.
There are a wide variety of products and materials available for air sealing and insulation, including caulking, spray foam, metal flashing, weather stripping, and rigid foam. Residential Registered Vendors can recommend the best products and installation methods for your situation. Many of these products and techniques are available in environmentally friendly options, enabling you to make your home more energy efficient with the least impact on the environment.
Air Leaks
Air leaks are a major cause of energy waste in homes. They let outside air in and indoor air out, reducing the efficiency of heating and cooling. They also invite pollutants, allergens, and toxins into your home. Sealing those leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase comfort and save money.
Air sealing and insulation are two complementary home improvement projects that work best together. Insulation blocks the transfer of heat, while air sealing stops drafts and gaps in the building envelope. Both are essential for maximizing energy efficiency and reducing home energy costs.
If your home feels drafty in cold weather or you’re tired of dusting frequently, your air ducts and windows may need to be sealed. An experienced professional can conduct a blower door test or thermal imaging to identify areas that need improvement and recommend the right solutions.
There are some easy and affordable DIY solutions for addressing air leaks, like caulking and weather stripping. The most common areas for leaks are around doors and windows, but there are many quick fixes that will make your home more comfortable and efficient.
Moisture Transfer
Air leaks allow moisture to move into your home, and as we all know, dampness can cause mold, mildew and other structural damage. Air sealing prevents the flow of moisture through the walls, framing and insulation in your home. This keeps your house dry, comfortable and energy efficient.
Moisture transfer by air flow happens quickly, and a home air sealing expert is able to identify and seal any unintended paths for air movement in and out of the home. Moisture is also able to pass through insulating materials and create damage, which is why it’s very important to have your attics and crawl spaces properly sealed and insulated, as well.
Gaps in your insulated home aren’t just drafty; they also invite in unwanted pollutants, allergens and contaminants, especially during the summertime. Sealing these gaps stops your air conditioner from working overtime, and reduces your exposure to unhealthy indoor pollutants.
While some of these gaps are small and easy for a homeowner to repair, others are large and require the services of a professional. Some examples include caulking around windows and doors, installing foam gaskets behind outlets and switches, and ensuring vents are properly caulked or sealed.
Drafts
A draft is a flow of air that moves through gaps and cracks in your home. Drafts waste energy and make your house feel uncomfortable. Air sealing reduces drafts and makes your house more comfortable all year round.
Most of the time, drafts come from around doors and windows. They can be caused by improper door and window seals or by a lack of insulation in the doors or windows themselves. Luckily, these problems can be solved easily with some caulking and weather stripping. Other times, drafts come from the attic or through ducts. Air sealing eliminates these leaks and saves you money.
Having your home professionally air sealed is a good idea because these leaks and gaps are not easy for homeowners to find and seal themselves. An experienced, residential registered vendor can use a blower door and smoke pencil to locate the leaks in your attic, basement, or home ducts. Once the sources of leaks are located, they can use spray foam and other insulation to seal the leaks, making your house more comfortable and efficient.
Many people also install a device called a “draft snake” to stop drafts from coming through the bottom of their windows. This is a simple and inexpensive fix that can significantly cut your energy costs. Installing injection foam insulation like RetroFoam in the walls is also a good way to stop drafts and save energy.