Is air sealing your home worth it? The answer is a resounding yes! Sealing your home's air leaks and adding insulation are two of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homeowners can save up to 10% on their annual energy bills by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors, tight spaces, and basements. Air sealing your home can help you save money and create a healthier environment for you and your loved ones. Most homes in the United States don't have enough insulation and have significant air leaks.
In fact, nine out of ten households in the U. S. have insufficient insulation. Sealing air leaks around your home is a great way to maximize your comfort and reduce energy costs. Airtight attic sealing can be a great DIY project if your attic is easily accessible, fairly spacious, and you like to undertake larger home improvement projects.
Before you start, it's important to review safety considerations and assemble all the necessary equipment and materials. If you're planning a comprehensive remodeling of your home, consider carrying out an energy assessment of the home to identify all the opportunities to save energy and money. The EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by sealing their homes with air and adding insulation in attics, floors, tight spaces, and basements. When you seal a home, you run the risk of trapping dangerous indoor air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and radon. To ensure safety, consider contacting a contractor specializing in home construction before and after sealing the air in the house to check if any appliance that uses oil or gas is properly extracting flue gases. It may also be necessary to install more fans to keep the home's air quality at a safe level and to carry out repairs to reduce or eliminate sources of indoor air pollutants. The EPA estimates that homeowners lose between 25 and 30% of their air conditioning, hot and cold, due to air leaks from the attic.
For example, the fireplace could draw warm air into the attic and then draw cold air through the windows and doors.
Benefits of Air Sealing Your Home
Air sealing your home has many benefits. It can help reduce energy costs by preventing heated or cooled air from escaping through cracks or gaps in walls or ceilings. It can also help reduce noise pollution from outside sources such as traffic or construction sites. Additionally, it can help improve indoor air quality by reducing dust, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens from entering your home.How To Air Seal Your Home
Air sealing your home is relatively easy if you have access to the right tools and materials.Start by inspecting your home for any visible cracks or gaps around windows, doors, vents, pipes, electrical outlets, etc. Once you've identified any potential areas for air leakage, use caulk or weatherstripping to seal them up. You may also want to consider using foam sealant for larger gaps or cracks.
