Air Sealing & Weather Stripping
The top way to improve the comfort and efficiency of your home
Do you have drafts or cold spots in your home? Are your energy bills higher than you would like. Read below to learn why air sealing your home is so important.
Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, improve durability, increase comfort, and creating a healthier indoor environment. Caulking, spray foam and weather stripping are a few simple and effective air sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment. Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components such as around door and window frames, spray foam is used in the attic to close air bypass areas and weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows.
Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. It is unwise to rely on air leakage for ventilation. During cold or windy weather, too much air may enter the house. When it's warmer and less windy, not enough air may enter, which can result in poor indoor air quality. Air leakage also contributes to moisture problems that can affect occupants’ health and the structure’s durability. An added benefit is that sealing cracks and openings reduces drafts and cold spots, improving comfort.
The recommended strategy is to reduce air leakage as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed. Before air sealing, you should first:
With a Home Energy Audit we can detect where your home has air leaks and offer solutions. If you're planning an extensive remodel of your home that will include some construction, review some of the techniques used for air sealing in new home construction and consider a Home Energy Audit to identify all the ways your home wastes energy and money.
