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 create a healthier indoor environment.
Air Leakage
Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. Relying on air leakage for natural ventilation is not recommended. 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 can contribute to moisture problems that affect occupants’ health and the structure’s durability. Sealing cracks and openings reduces drafts and cold spots, improving comfort.
Tips for Sealing Air Leaks
- Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air.
- Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.
- Install foam gaskets behind the outlet and switch plates on walls.
- Inspect dirty spots on any visual insulation for air leaks and mold. Seal leaks with low-expansion spray foam made for this purpose and install house flashing if needed.
- Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
- Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.
In addition to these air sealing tips is making sure your home is properly insulated. Having proper insulation and air sealing works to reduce heat flow through the building envelope and keep your home comfortable all year long.
Professionally installed insulation will save you money in the future and put less demand on your energy resources. It will help to keep the temperature instead of your home consistent from room to room. Our experts at Koala Insulation of Lexington are here to help get your home running more comfortable all while saving you money on your energy bills.