SW CHICAGO Blog

Does Your Home Suffer From Air Leaks? Improve Air Sealing in Chicago?

What is Air Sealing?

The updated air sealing throughout your home can help reduce air leaks and improve indoor air quality. Air sealing a home consists of using a material like caulk or weather stripping to fill in the gaps, cracks, and other openings throughout a building envelope. In many cases, there are several times when air sealing is a simple DIY project for most homeowners: if you notice a gap or opening around your door jambs and window sills, you can simply grab a sealant from your local hardware store and fill the space. However, there are many hidden areas that homeowners can easily miss; this is why it’s important to consult a trained industry professional to find problems that are commonly taken for granted. Your most common air leak culprits will be doors and windows throughout a house, but even minor openings around the exterior, in the basement, and throughout your attic can lead to air quality problems.

One of the most significant impacts that quality air sealing provides to your home is improved indoor air quality and reduced air pollution throughout the building. When you close up the problematic openings around the building envelope, you help to reduce the entrance of bacteria, allergens, and other outdoor pollutants. Even the seemingly insignificant cracks and holes can allow small pests to make their way into a house when they're in search of a warm, hidden place to build up their nests and stay secluded. Updated and improved air sealing contributes to reducing the risk of health hazards, heat loss, and higher energy costs.

Myth Debunked: A “Breathing” Home

There's a common myth that leads many homeowners to be wary of updating the air sealing throughout their homes: the idea that houses shouldn't be sealed "too tightly" because the building needs to be able to "breathe". There needs to be one distinction made: humans need to breathe, and buildings need to ventilate. Better air sealing won't close up your house and ruin its ventilation; the airflow in your house instead has a system that largely isn't impacted when a professional air seals leaks and openings throughout a building. What your home needs is controlled airflow, which is impacted by the HVAC system, air quality devices, and attic or crawl space vents.

When you decide to avoid updating air sealing in your home for too long, it can lead to what's known as a "leaky" building. The air is more likely to flow randomly, working against your home's energy system and increasing the output needed from an HVAC system and other appliances. You could also be increasing the risk of health hazards, decreased indoor air quality, and potentially increased humidity. This creates an environment that allows for mold growth, bacteria, and other problems. If you're concerned with having a stuffy, closed-up home, it's important to take a look into your home's ventilation system rather than avoid air sealing, losing out on its benefits.

Common Air Leak Issues

Our insulation professionals at Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago have previously touched on the effects of old insulation and the impact of poor indoor air quality: reduced outdoor pollutants, allergens, and bacteria flowing through your home. Here are other ways air leaks from old and insufficient insulation and air sealing materials can impact your home:

• Moisture infiltration
• Pest infestation
• Heat loss
• Higher energy costs

Moisture and water vapor are significant dangers to your home’s health and safety if left unnoticed and untreated. High moisture levels increase humidity, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. If there’s excessive moisture and hidden water damage, it can damage the wooden structures, insulation, and other materials throughout your home. This humid environment attracts pests like dust mites, termites, and carpenter ants.

Even without high moisture levels, unsealed openings throughout your home are welcome mats for pests like insects and rodents. Many homeowners are already aware of the detrimental effects that come with allowing pests to build nests within the house. You could increase the risk of disease, infestation, and severe structural damage. Poor air sealing is like leaving the door open for these unwanted guests to waltz in and make themselves at home.

Along with pesky intruders and problematic pollutants from the outdoors, air leaks are also one of the main culprits of heat loss. Conditioned air and heat are escaping from the same holes, gaps, and cracks that are letting in drafts, dirt, and bugs. This can put a lot of stress on your HVAC system, which needs to run more often to keep up with the desired temperature on the thermostat. While this increases the need for maintenance and, in some severe cases, a new unit, it also increases your energy costs and reduces your home's climate control efficiency.

Reduce Energy Waste and Cost

Like two sides of the same coin, keeping both your insulation and air sealing updated is crucial to improving your home's comfort, safety, and climate control capabilities. There are a number of ways where one is necessary for the other to work more effectively. Insulation throughout a building is used to help reduce the rate of heat transfer, which is how easily heat enters and exits a structure. Without quality air sealing, the insulation material isn't as effective at maintaining regular temperatures. Air leaks also put the material at risk of being damaged by moisture or pest infestation. On the other hand, without quality coverage of properly installed insulation, heat can easily move through walls, floors, and the veiling, making air sealing only half as effective. You'll most likely still experience irregular temperatures, drafts, and cold spots throughout your home if one is left to deteriorate.

You can exponentially save throughout the year on energy costs when you regularly maintain and replace insulation and air sealing material. Your HVAC system doesn't need to strain in order to keep up with the desired temperature on the thermostat because these materials work to support the unit. They keep out unwanted heat in the summer and trap in desired warmth throughout the winter. With improved temperature regulation, you're also less likely to have one room or side of the house that's too hot or cold in comparison to the rest of the house. It's important to keep your insulation and air sealing updated throughout the year in order to maintain a safe and comfortable environment.

Consult Your Southwest Chicago Experts

Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago has a team of insulation professionals that are trained and experienced in bringing cost-effective solutions to our community while also improving the energy efficiency of our neighborhoods. We offer free evaluations so you and your household have a detailed breakdown of your home’s insulation and air sealing. This not only helps you to make informed decisions to improve your comfort and safety, but it also gives you an opportunity to take into account your current schedule and budget. To learn more about the current condition of your home’s insulation and air sealing, contact Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago today and schedule your free evaluation.