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Air sealing is all about energy-efficient home construction. New builds have to comply with current building regulations, but what do you do if you have an older home? One way to reduce energy consumption and prolong the health of your home is to have it air sealed.
Air sealing prevents unwanted outside air from entering your home and heated or cooled air from escaping. In any home, there is a host of trouble spots that need attention to prevent air leakage.
They include attics, shafts for piping or ducts, dropped ceilings, and recessed lighting. Porch roofs, chimney flues and fireplace walls, and living space and garage walls are also weak spots. Other areas to check are air conditioning units, foundations and flooring, and the obvious windows and door seals.
Check out our list of nine reasons you need to reduce the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home.
In This Post:
1. Reduce Energy Waste
Insulation and air sealing mean your furnace or central heating system doesn’t have to work so hard in cold weather. As much as 20 percent more heated air stays inside your home.
2. Greater Comfort
No more cold drafts! Noticeable temperature differences between rooms, cold floors and cold walls can be annoying. You and your family can prevent this unnecessary stress by sealing air leakages and improving insulation.
Insulation provides a protective barrier between the outside and heated or cooled areas of your home. It regulates airflow and reduces heat loss.
3. Reduce Energy Costs
Air sealing helps to maintain a constant ambient temperature. This reduces your energy use, so it will lower your energy costs too.
4. Better Air Quality
You create a healthier indoor environment as a direct result of air sealing and insulation. Having greater control over airflow and moisture minimizes pollutants entering your home and circulating in your duct system.
5. Moisture Management
Air sealing can go a long way to preventing damage to your house from moisture and mold. Air currents account for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in buildings. Air sealing, insulation, and vapor diffusion retarders reduce condensation in a house’s ceilings, walls, and floors.
Basements, crawl spaces and even concrete slab foundations can have pores and cracks that absorb water.
By minimizing moisture, humidity, and mold you improve indoor air quality. This results in a more comfortable and healthier living.
6. Air Sealing and Air Conditioning
Air sealing and insulation will make your air conditioning system more efficient. Naturally, we recommend you use professional contractors such as Glenmont Heating & Air Conditioning. HVAC systems and services are their specialties. Your home needs to breathe efficiently so that you can too.
A malfunctioning air conditioning system combined with humidity and air pollutant problems can result in costly energy and medical bills. Get both things right, and you’ll save yourself a lot of problems.
7. Prevent House Deterioration
Airborne toxins, pollutants, and mold spores can all damage the foundation of your home. Air sealing prevents these particles from entering crawl spaces and attics. This, in turn, discourages small animals from taking up residence in these spaces.
8. Longer Equipment Lifespan
Your furnace, central heating system, or HVAC system will last longer because the temperature around your house is regulated properly. Of course, regular maintenance of such equipment also prolongs their life, but air-sealing will give it an extra boost. You’ll save money in the long term.
9. Rebates
Make sure you engage an approved contractor to air seal your home and ask about rebates. You could be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $1,500 for an air sealing and attic insulation project.
Peace of Mind
Aside from all the practical benefits of air sealing your home, you will also have peace of mind. By avoiding potential problems caused by air leakage, you won’t have to worry in summer – or in winter.
If you found this air sealing article helpful, search our website for related articles on attic and floor insulation.
