SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Blog

Does Proper Air Sealing Affect My Florida Utility Bills?

According to Energy Star, 9 out of 10 homes in the United States "don't have enough insulation and have significant air leaks." Regardless of whether you've lived in your home for years or you're a first-time homeowner looking for tips, it's not uncommon to be unfamiliar with air sealing. Air leaks around your home could not only be a significant factor in higher monthly bills but also the reason for poor energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

One of the first noticeable signs of poor insulation and air sealing is waking up with allergy-like symptoms, like a stuffy nose and coughing, that goes away after getting up and moving around. Your home's indoor air quality is reduced when you don't have a proper vapor and air barrier between you and the outside elements. Not only could you be risking higher utility bills by letting conditioned air and heat escape your home, but you could also be increasing health risks for you and your household.

What is Air Sealing?

First, it’s important to understand what a “building envelope” is. Your home’s building envelope consists of the outer walls, doors, windows, and other openings that access the outside. Air leaks in and out of these areas; if left unmonitored and without maintenance, cracks and gaps start to form that let air leak at a problematic rate. For most homes that are underinsulated, it’s as bad as leaving a window or door wide open.

Air sealing, at its simplest form, is simply making sure these gaps and cracks are filled to reduce air leakage. While these openings often occur naturally because of weathering, storm and natural disaster damage, or pest infestation, they can also be left behind by other contractors like electricians and plumbers. An experienced insulation team will make this a top priority on their walkthrough checklist, considering insulation and air sealing are practically two sides of the same coin.

How Does Air Sealing Affect My Utility Bills?

When it comes to making your home comfortable and safe, it can feel like other criteria fall into an "optional" category: saving on cost, energy-efficient material and installation, etc. However, ensuring your home is properly air sealed not only provides a great return on investment but a free evaluation from your local insulation experts can help you prioritize your budget and energy consumption needs.

Outdoor pollutants like pollen, dust, and other allergens creep into your house through these leaky locations, reducing your indoor air quality. This can lead to an increase in respiratory irritation and illnesses. In addition to an increase in health risks, it also lets unwanted heat enter and flow through the house, requiring your HVAC system to kick into overdrive to try to keep the home temperature regulated. With a sealed building, you’re giving your heating and cooling system a break while increasing your comfort.

Calculating Your Savings

If you’re still unsure about the benefits air sealing can provide your Southwest Florida home, it’s possible to calculate your own savings breakdown. While it’s recommended to compare your research with a free estimate from a professional walkthrough, it’s possible to deduct your own return on investment. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates updated insulation and air sealing saves an average of about 15% on heating and cooling bills, with about 11% on your total energy costs. Along with additional information on climate zones and the differences between regions in the United States, they have published a guide to the methodology used to determine their savings estimates. Improvements from proper air sealing, upgraded insulation, and building envelope treatment can see an even greater return on investment in older homes built before 1988.

It’s important to note that a majority of Florida is in Climate Zone 2, although Fort Myers is close to Climate Zone 1. Being in the southern region of the climate zone map, the average savings is about 9% for heating and cooling. This is primarily because of the differences in “geographic climate factors, regional construction style, and fuel type characteristics.” However, the EPA mentions that each home’s savings will differ based on the current condition of insulation and air sealing - at Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida, we’ve had homes that see over 25% savings in their energy bills after an insulation removal, reinstallation, and air sealing.

Finding the Right Southwest Florida Team

“You don’t know what you don’t know” As a homeowner, it’s crucial to know what could be potentially harmful to your home. Similar to how you’d hire a lawn care service if you’re unsure of how to properly care for your grass and shrubbery, you need to find a reliable source to take care of air leaks and uncomfortable drafts in your house. An insulation expert should be able to give you a comprehensive breakdown of their walkthrough and processes that will help seal your home against outside air and pollutants.

At Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida, our team of industry experts is ready and able to educate you and your household on the importance of air sealing and insulation. With free evaluations that work around your schedule and budgetary needs, we can provide an accurate summary of the current state of the house. Focusing first on pain points and targeting areas that need improvement, our team works with you to help lower your monthly bills and increase your return on investment. Contact Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida today to learn more about air sealing and our free evaluations.