Whether it’s a hot humid summer or a freezing snowy winter, there are long stretches of the year where you want to keep Long Island’s outdoor weather and temperatures as far away from the inside of your house as possible. There are different ways you can improve indoor comfort by upgrading your home, and while air sealing is one of the best, it still remains a service that not every homeowner is familiar with.
Air sealing, sometimes called weatherization, is a process where spray foam insulation is used to close up holes and cracks in your home’s exterior, preventing air from entering and exiting your living spaces. Air sealing an old house is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Today we’re going to talk about signs your home needs air sealing and the ways you can benefit.
When Should You Air Seal Your House?
If air sealing is a newer concept to you, you might be wondering, “How do I know if my home needs air sealing?” There are a few different tell-tale signs that a home has significant air leakage:
Indoor drafts—Are all your windows closed but you can still feel a breeze? Air leaks are likely the cause.
Hot second floors—If the upstairs gets hotter than the first floor on a summer afternoon, you’re probably dealing with a building science principle called the stack effect, and the underlying cause is poor air sealing.
Health issues—Air leaks allow outdoor air inside, bringing potential air pollutants like pollen and other allergens in with them. If your allergies seem worse when you’re in your home, you could benefit from air sealing.
High energy bills—Air leaks allow conditioned air from your heating and cooling systems to escape your home, forcing your HVAC to run for longer to maintain your thermostat settings.
The Benefits of Insulating and Air Sealing
Air sealing protects your home against the outdoor elements, offering a number of benefits like:
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Lower heating and cooling bills
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Fewer indoor drafts
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Healthier indoor air quality
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Better comfort
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A home that’s better for the environment
Air sealing also helps your home’s insulation perform better—many insulation materials are less effective when exposed to moving air. Additionally, a properly insulated and airtight home wastes less energy, taking the load off your home heating, air conditioning, or heat pump system. As a result, your HVAC system can run less frequently, saving money and extending the lifespan of your equipment.
Schedule Your Free Energy Audit Today with Home Efficiency Experts
Home Efficiency Experts is an experienced and qualified air sealing contractor near you that can help improve your home. With our free energy audit, we’ll help you learn more about air leaks, poor insulation levels, and other sources of energy waste in your home, and make recommendations for upgrades like insulation replacement, a new HVAC system, or air sealing that save you money and improve indoor comfort.
