Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing home, air sealing is one of the most effective ways to cut down on energy bills.  If homes are not properly sealed, air can leak in and out of the home, creating drafts and making your HVAC work harder to control the temperatures in the home.  Hundreds of dollars a year are wasted on home energy bills due to increased air leakage. Over a long period, leakage can become a durability issue, increase the risk of fire, allow for pests and rodents to enter, and affect indoor air quality.  Air sealing is an inexpensive way to cut down on leaks and cut down on home energy bills. It is almost impossible to have a house that is “too tight.”  Most houses have points of ventilation built in with mechanical systems or bathroom and kitchen fans.  Sealing is a DIY job and all of the materials can be found at a hardware store.

For renovations or new construction you will need:

• Caulk for gaps ½” or less.  Select the grade based on where you will apply the caulk (interior, exterior, high temperatures) $
• Spray foam for larger gaps.  This can often be extremely sticky so wear gloves while applying.  This is not recommended near flammable areas such as fireplace flues.$
• Rigid Foam insulation for attic door access.  Seal seams with beaded caulk.  The attic access is considered the largest leak between unconditioned space (the attic) and conditioned space (living space).  Try to achieve the same R-Value (thermal resistance) as the rest of the ceiling. $$ For more information about air sealing in the attic, click here.
• Weather stripping for moveable components such as doors and windows. $

Don’t rely on fiberglass insulation.  This is the most common type of insulation in older homes and a tell tale sign of leakage is dirty insulation.  Fiberglass insulation does not STOP air leaks; it just acts as a filter for air leaks.  When choosing insulation for your home renovation, look into dense-packed cellulose and urethane foams.  Typically installed by a contractor, this insulation should have an R-Value of 38.  R-value suggestions are based on the number of heating and cooling days in Northeast Ohio.  Because Northeast Ohio experiences more heating than cooling days, a higher R-Value is necessary for maximum insulation and air flow reduction. 

Important areas to seal:

• Attic: knee walls, wiring holes, hatch, ceiling
• Basement rim joists (where foundation meets wood framing)
• Around plumbing penetrations
• Rough opening such as doors and windows
• Gaps at whole house fan or bathroom and kitchen ventilations
• Exterior penetrations such as porch lights phones etc

For a detailed diagram click here.