Air sealing is essential to having an energy efficient and comfortable home. Air sealing involves sealing any gaps and holes in your home that are allowing valuable air to escape. These gaps can have a huge impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Air sealing stops air leaks, improves your indoor air quality, and lowers your energy costs. While attic insulation helps in diminishing heat transfer between the attic and other areas of your house, it doesn’t address air from leaking through cracks and openings in your walls and ceiling. This is why air sealing your home is the crucial final step in the process of insulating your attic.
Think about it this way – if you put all of the gaps together, you may as well have left a window open all day with the AC running. I know my dad used to always tell me to not leave the door open when I went outside because he didn’t want me to try to cool the backyard when I was playing in the summer. You may as well just empty your 401k.
Creating a Sealed Home
A home’s envelope is the structural barrier between the inside and outside of your home and typically includes windows, doors, walls, and more. Air leaks through these areas are significant sources of heating and cooling losses in your home. Having a well-maintained home envelope plays a significant role in enhancing your home’s comfort and reducing energy expenses. Ensuring a proper sealing of this boundary effectively prevents any outdoor air from entering your home, resulting in consistent internal temperatures.
Decrease Energy Bills
Air leaks can cause several issues in your home that may be costly and inconvenient. Unsealed gaps in your home can result in drafts, inconsistent temperatures, unwanted moisture, and high heating and cooling costs. Inconsistent temperatures can lead you to spending more money on heating and cooling. According to the Department of Energy, by sealing air leaks, you can save 10-20% on your heating and cooling bills. Moisture issues may arise from unsealed air leaks and can eventually lead to mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage if not addressed in a timely manner.
Air Sealing Process
Numerous areas in your home require attention during the air sealing process. These include areas around:
- Windows and doors
- Attic hatches
- Vents and pipes
- Fireplaces
- Wires or cables that pass-through walls and ceilings
- Recessed lighting fixtures
- Baseboards
- Dryer vents
- Bathroom fans
- Other exhaust fans
The goal is to pinpoint any potential sources of air leakage in your home and seal them using caulk, expandable foam, weatherstripping, and other similar materials.
When done properly, air sealing won’t lead to stuffiness or health issues. Air sealing can actually enhance indoor air quality by reducing dust, pollen, mold spores, radon, and other allergens from entering your home through cracks and gaps in your walls or ceilings.
Energy Efficiency
Air sealing is a cost-effective way to improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. The combination of attic insulation and air sealing can improve air quality, eliminate drafts, decrease heating and cooling costs, and even prevent costly damage due to moisture buildup over time.
Fiberglass insulation proves to be twice as effective when used alongside attic floor air sealing. This permeable material allows for increased airflow, making the combination of fiberglass insulation and a properly air-sealed space crucial for optimal energy efficiency.
Air sealing is a powerful and cost-efficient solution for conserving energy and enhancing home comfort. By sealing off cracks and gaps in your home, air sealing reduces wintertime drafts and maintains a cooler indoor environment in the summertime – potentially leading to reduced monthly energy costs! Consider the combination of spray foam insulation and air sealing for an exceptionally comfortable living space that is also budget friendly.
Reduce Heat Transfer
Attic insulation plays a crucial role in reducing heat transfer between the attic and other areas of your home. While it’s always advisable to seek professional air sealing and insulation services, there are some steps you can take to minimize air leaking in your home. Start by inspecting both the interior and exterior of your home for potential sources of leakage. Our Koala professionals can then seal any of these cracks or gaps that are leaking expensive energy.
At Koala Insulation, we use various techniques to identify and seal air leaks. Our team will utilize specialized equipment such as thermal imaging cameras and pressure gauges to accurately pinpoint sources of air leakage.
Overall, air sealing is a vital aspect of the attic insulation process that leads to enhanced home comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Proper air sealing can lead to savings on heating and cooling costs while protecting your home against structural damage due to the development of moisture. For optimal results, it’s recommended to seek professional help for air sealing and insulation services.
At Koala Insulation, we’re dedicated to providing homeowners with energy-saving insulation solutions. We aim to ensure that every homeowner has access to top-quality insulation, allowing them to save on energy bills and enjoy greater home comfort. We offer a range of insulation services, so you can choose the best option for you and your home depending on budget, climate, and other needs. Contact Koala Insulation of the East Valley for a FREE insulation evaluation or to learn more about how air sealing and attic insulation can improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency!
