Air sealing your home is one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and save money. Here's a breakdown of how it works and the potential savings:

How Air Sealing Works:

• The Problem: Air leaks allow conditioned air (heated or cooled) to escape your home, while unconditioned air from outside infiltrates. This forces your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, wasting energy and driving up your bills.


• The Solution: Air sealing involves identifying and sealing these leaks and cracks in your home's envelope (the barrier between inside and outside). Common areas include:


• Attic: Around recessed lights, wiring penetrations, ductwork, the attic hatch, and where walls meet the attic floor.


• Basement/Crawl Space: Around rim joists (where the foundation meets the walls), plumbing penetrations, and foundation cracks.


• Walls: Around windows and doors, electrical outlets, and switch plates.


• Floors: Around plumbing and wiring penetrations, especially above unheated spaces like garages or crawl spaces.


• Ductwork: Leaks in ductwork can waste a significant amount of energy, especially if located in unconditioned spaces.

• Caulk: For sealing gaps around windows, doors, and other stationary fixtures.


• Weatherstripping: For creating a tight seal around moving parts like doors and windows.


• Spray Foam: For filling larger gaps and cracks, providing both insulation and air sealing.


• Expanding Foam: For filling gaps and cracks, be careful as it can over expand and cause damage.


• Foam Backer Rod: Used to fill large gaps before caulking or sealing.


• Drywall Patches/Plaster: For repairing cracks and holes in walls.


• Duct Sealant (Mastic): Specifically designed for sealing ductwork.


• Specialized Tapes: Foil tape and other specialized tapes are used for various sealing applications.


• House Wrap: Used to minimize air flow through walls.

• Reduced Energy Bills: The primary benefit is lower heating and cooling costs. Savings can range from 5% to 30% depending on the severity of the air leaks and the climate.


• Improved Comfort: Eliminating drafts and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout your home makes it more comfortable to live in.


• Reduced HVAC System Wear and Tear: Because your HVAC system isn't working as hard, it will likely last longer and require fewer repairs.


• Improved Indoor Air Quality: Air sealing can help reduce the amount of dust, pollen, and other pollutants that enter your home from the outside.


• Moisture Control: Air sealing can help prevent moisture from entering walls and attics, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth.


• Quieter Home: Reducing air leaks can also help block out noise from outside.

• Visual Inspection: Look for cracks, gaps, and holes around windows, doors, pipes, and other penetrations.


• The Candle Test: On a windy day, hold a lit candle or incense stick near windows, doors, and other potential leak areas. If the flame flickers or the smoke drifts noticeably, there's an air leak.


• The Dollar Bill Test: Place a dollar bill between a door or window and its frame, then close it. If you can easily pull the bill out, the seal is not tight.


• Professional Energy Audit: A professional energy auditor can use specialized equipment like a blower door test to identify and quantify air leaks in your home. A thermal camera can also find temperature differences which can indicate air leaks or poor insulation.

• DIY: Many simple air sealing tasks, such as caulking windows and doors, can be done DIY. This is a cost-effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency.


• Professional: For more complex air sealing projects, such as sealing attics and crawl spaces, it's best to hire a qualified contractor. They have the expertise and equipment to identify and seal all the leaks effectively. They can also safely work with insulation and other potentially hazardous materials.

• Cost: The cost of air sealing can vary depending on the size and age of your home, the extent of the leaks, and whether you DIY or hire a professional. DIY projects can cost as little as a few dollars for caulk and weatherstripping. Professional air sealing can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.


• ROI: The payback period for air sealing can be relatively short, often within a few years, due to the ongoing energy savings.

• Ventilation: While air sealing is important, it's crucial to maintain adequate ventilation in your home. This prevents the buildup of indoor pollutants and moisture. Consider adding or upgrading ventilation systems, such as bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen range hoods, and whole-house ventilation systems.


• Combustion Safety: If you have combustion appliances like furnaces, water heaters, or fireplaces, air sealing can potentially affect their operation. Make sure these appliances are properly vented and that there's adequate combustion air available. A professional can assess the safety of your combustion appliances after air sealing.


• Building Codes: Be aware of local building codes and regulations regarding air sealing and ventilation.