Why You Need to Air Seal a Home before Autumn
Air sealing and home insulation are closely associated with energy savings during the wintertime heating months. Though, these practical home efficiency upgrades save energy and make your home more comfortable all year long.
The sooner you tackle buttoning up your Cincinnati home, the sooner you can take the heat off your pocketbook and boost home comfort.
Benefits of Air Sealing
As mentioned, there are drawbacks to living in a leaky home. Newer homes are constructed with more efficient materials and methods, though, older homes are well known for their “natural ventilation.”
In addition to wasting energy and suffering uncomfortable drafts, leaky homes may promote unhealthful indoor air quality. Air infiltration typically passes through walls, the floor and the attic, which introduces any contaminants in those spaces to your living spaces. Moreover, if you use gas appliances, such as a gas furnace, water heater and dryer, you’re also at risk of dangerous back-drafting caused by air pressure changes.
How to Seal Your Home
A tube of caulk and a few packages of weatherstripping works wonders to stop leaks. Though, you must first find air leaks to seal them.
Take a pen and notepad and write down drafty areas you’re already familiar with. Check weatherstripping and caulking around exterior entry doors and windows. Replace any damaged or brittle sections. Use foam and silicone tubing weatherstripping to seal the attic hatch and exterior doors respectively.
A thin line of caulk around window frames and glass can stop air bypass and rattling windows. A can of low-expansion foam works best for larger gaps around wall penetrations from piping, recessed lighting and the flue. Make sure the spray is fire-resistant.
Assessing Home Insulation
Only after your home is tightly sealed should you install or add insulation. Attic insulation in the Cincinnati area should be as much as R-60. That’s approximately 15 to 19 inches of fiberglass insulation, for example. Replace insulation that is damp, moldy or damaged.
If you need help air sealing and assessing home insulation before the autumn leaves start to fall in Greater Cincinnati, please contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today.