ORLANDO CENTRAL Blog

Air Sealing 101: Air Leaks Are Costing You Money Each Month in Orlando

What is Air Sealing? 

In order to effectively reduce air leaks, you need to have proper air sealing throughout the house. This is done by applying material like caulk or weather stripping to fill cracks, holes, and other openings in your building envelope. In many cases, air sealing is considered a simple DIY project - if you notice a gap around your door jamb or window sill, you can pick up a sealant at your local hardware store. However, an industry professional is often more experienced in finding areas that are hidden or taken for granted. Your most common air leak culprits are the doors and windows in your home, but even simple openings around the exterior, in the basement, and along the ceiling of your attic can lead to air quality problems. 

Improving your indoor air quality is one of the most significant factors your home benefits from when you update your air sealing. Closing these openings helps to reduce the entrance of bacteria, allergens, and other outdoor pollutants. Even seemingly insignificant cracks and holes can allow pests to make their way into the house in search of a warm, hidden place to build nests. With improved air sealing, you can significantly reduce health risk, heat loss, and higher energy costs. 

Doesn’t My Home Need to “Breathe”? 

One common myth that deters some homeowners from air sealing their home is that the house shouldn’t be sealed “too tightly” because their house needs to be able to “breathe”. It’s important to make one key distinction: people need to breathe, houses need to ventilate. Effective air sealing won’t close up a house; the airflow in your home has a system that largely isn’t influenced when a professional air seals the leaks and cracks throughout the building. What your home needs is controlled airflow, which is largely impacted by your HVAC system, air quality devices, and attic or crawl space vents. 

If you choose to forgo air sealing, you could end up with what’s known as a “leaky” building. The air will flow randomly, working against your home’s energy system and increasing the output 

needed from your HVAC system and other appliances. You could increase health risks, decrease indoor air quality, and potentially create a humid environment that encourages mold growth, mildew, and other damages. If you’re concerned about a closed-off structure, it’s important to look into your ventilation system instead of avoiding the benefits of air sealing. 

How Air Leaks Cause Problems We’ve previously covered the importance of improved indoor air quality: fewer outdoor pollutants, allergens, and bacteria flowing through your home. It’s time to break down the other serious issues that come from air leaks in a 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. 

Insulation and Air Sealing Can Save Your Monthly Costs 

As two sides of the same coin, insulation and air sealing work as a team to keep your home comfortable, safe, and temperature regulated. One is necessary for the other to work effectively. Insulation throughout your home is used to reduce the rate at which heat enters and exits the structure, which is known as heat transfer. Without proper air sealing, insulation is less effective in maintaining climate control; it also puts the material at risk of being damaged by moisture and pests. On the other hand, without quality coverage and properly installed insulation, heat will easily move through the walls, floors, and ceiling; this makes air sealing only half as effective as you’re still suffering from irregular temperatures throughout the house. 

Updating the insulation and air sealing in your home can exponentially save you throughout the year in energy costs. Your HVAC system doesn't need to strain in order to maintain a set temperature because the updated materials prevent unwanted heat in the summer and trap in desired warmth during the winter. Improved temperature regulation means you're less likely to have one room or side of the house that's too hot or cold in comparison to the rest of the building. However, it's important to remember that not every house has the same requirements; several factors can influence your needs, such as the climate zone, building requirements, and even regular weather patterns. Finding an insulation team that's experienced in prioritizing these differences is crucial to achieving a quality job. 

How Can I Reduce Air Leaks? 

Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando is a team of trained and experienced professionals that put our community's needs first. We're dedicated to not only making our neighbors feel more comfortable and safe but also finding ways to increase their savings and energy efficiency. Our industry experts offer free evaluations so you and your household can make an informed decision that takes into account your schedule and budget after reviewing the current condition of your home's insulation and air sealing. To learn more about hidden problems and ways to improve your environment, contact Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando today to schedule your free evaluation.