Air sealing against heat & humidity

Air sealing against heat & humidity

Any hole in your attic caused by ductwork, the poor condition of a window or many other factors can cause warm air to leak into or cooled air to leak out of your home and therefore significantly decrease the energy efficiency of your home. Air sealing is the solution and a great add-on to your new or existing insulation. 

Why is air sealing important?

The envelope of your home, meaning the materials that separate (and protect) the inside of your home from the outside, is the barrier that keeps your home dry, energy-efficient and comfortable and should therefore be kept in the best condition possible. 

While insulation is one of the most important steps in creating a good house envelope, its main function is not to close air leaks. Some insulation, like polyurethane spray foam, fills the majority of crevices and creates a pretty tight seal while most other insulation materials provide their numerous benefits but cannot fill small holes around, for example, electrical wiring entry points. 

Air can find its way through the smallest gap, crack or hole present in one of the many elements that make up your home's envelope and nullify the effects of insulation. That's why air sealing is the most impactful thing that you can do to close air leaks and take advantage of your insulation to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home.
 

What are the benefits of air sealing?

Lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint!

Air sealing is an important factor when it comes to the energy efficiency of your home. By preventing warm air from entering your home, the amount of air that needs to be conditioned by your A/C unit decreases (prolonging the unit's life span!) and your home can keep a steady temperature more easily. This reduces your energy bill which means you're wasting less energy, hence protecting your wallet and the environment. 

Quality breathing air for your health!

Preventing heat and humidity from entering your home can also help reduce condensation which can lead to mold and mildew problems that dramatically decrease your home's air quality and can affect your health. If condensation is extreme, it can even result in structural damage to your home. 

Fewer bugs eating away at your home!

Bugs and rodents can affect both your health and the structural integrity of your home as well if worse comes to worst. Little holes in your roof or next to windows and doors can be the perfect entry point for the unwanted visitors. Sealing the envelope of your home will help minimize those entry points and keep bugs out of your home. 
 

How do I know if my home needs air sealing?

Identifying air leaks is not easy for the untrained eye but some signs can be a high energy bill, drafty rooms, dust in rooms below the attic or uneven temperatures between rooms. A first step could be a visual inspection of common air leak areas which tend to be the following:

• The attic in general
• Points where plumbing and electrical connections pass through ceilings, walls and floors
• Doors, windows, hatches and drop-down attic stairs
• HVAC ductwork and vents
• Skylights, recessed lights and fans
• Recessed can lights
• Sump pump holes
• Cracks in plaster or drywall
• Areas around electrical outlets or switches
• Crawl spaces

Our Koala Insulation of South Miami team would love to help you determine if your home need's air sealing and would conduct a home energy audit to pinpoint leaks. Based on that audit as well as our knowledge of common locations for air leaks, we will provide you with a custom air sealing solution for your home.