Five Things You Need To Know About Air Sealing Your Home This Winter

Most homes have numerous sites where cracks or gaps allow for the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. While these gaps are typically most noticeable during the winter when cold air seeps into the home, they can cause problems all year round.

The air sealing process locates and permanently closes these gaps to create an airtight envelope around the house, preventing the exchange of air and facilitating more efficient heating and cooling.

Not sure how to air seal your home? Read this handy blog to get started 

Basic air sealing is something that any homeowner can do with simple tools from a hardware store. Windows on Washington can also provide comprehensive air sealing service, which provides a professional grade assessment of the home’s air leakage and a thorough, professional grade air sealing work scope.

If you’re thinking about air sealing your home this winter, here’s five things you need to know:

1. Air sealing saves you money

It will come as no surprise to most Americans that heating and cooling accounts for almost half of the energy use in a typical US home. In fact, research conducted by the Department of Energy revealed that heating and cooling makes up 48% of total energy use. As you might expect, this means that heating and cooling is the largest energy expense for most US homes.

Yet most homes experience air leaks, the process where outside air enters, and conditioned air exits your home. Reducing and removing those leaks means your home can maintain a consistent temperature, helping you save money on your heating and cooling costs.

2. Prevention is the best cure

Long-term air leakage allows moisture to freely roam around your home, and over time can cause mold build up and wood rot. Being proactive about air sealing prevents these problems before they occur, saving you costly headaches and hefty replacement bills in the future.

3. Air sealing can be inexpensive

Air sealing is easy and cost-effective. Most of the tools and equipment you need are available at any hardware store. Here’s a couple of simple air sealing techniques you can complete in just a few hours:

• Caulking
  Caulk is a multipurpose substance that seals air leaks created by gaps, cracks and joints. Ideal for sealing cracks less than 1/4 inch wide, it’s a common product found at every hardware store and is quick and easy to apply.
• Weather stripping
  This is the process of sealing the openings around doors and windows to prevent air from entering and escaping. This can include any material that helps block airflow, including foam, vinyl, felt and tape.

4. It can improve the durability of your home

Air leaks lead to elevated indoor humidity, especially in attics and basements. This can lead to mold deposits, and cause the structural elements of your home to warp and rot. Air sealing closes those leaks, reducing humidity and internal condensation that impacts the structural integrity of your home.

5. We are available to help

At Windows on Washington, our experts use advanced technology to find the areas in your home where air leakage is occurring and then create a comprehensive solution to seal those areas.

Once your home has been properly sealed, you will enjoy many years of energy efficiency and savings on utilities along with an improved comfort level throughout your home.

To find out more about saving on heating costs with the right windows, air sealing and insulation, download our free eBook.