What Is Air Sealing?

Are your energy bills higher than normal? Is your home drafty and uncomfortable? If so, it could mean your home isn’t as energy-efficient as it could be! If you’re experiencing issues like those, your home might need air sealing.

Air sealing reduces the amount of air that leaks into and out of your home. Caulk and weather stripping are commonly used—caulk for cracks and openings around door and window frames, weather stripping for moveable components like doors and windows—but there are other methods as well. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), sealing your home is a cost-effective way to help:

• Reduce heating and cooling costs
• Improve the durability of your home
• Increase the comfort of your home
• Create a healthier indoor environment

Here at Tidewater Insulators, we believe reducing air leaks is just as important as insulating! After all, air leaks can undermine the performance of insulation. In fact, according to the DOE:

• 40 percent of a home’s heat loss can be caused by air leaks
• About one-third of air enters and escapes homes through openings in ceilings, floors and walls
• In one heating season, air can carry as much as 50 pints of water through a ½-inch hole

This is why we offer an air sealing package as part of our Comfort Home Program! Our tailored package can help reduce air infiltration problems by helping ensure your home is air tight.

Do You Need to Seal Your Home?

You may need air sealing if you’ve noticed any of the following issues:

• Drafts (especially near windows and doors)
• Rooms that are hard to heat or cool
• Excessive dust
• Windows and doors that rattle easily (excessive movement can indicate air leaks)
• Cracks or holes in window or doorframe (can you see daylight around a frame?)

In addition to window and door frames, be sure to check areas like attic hatches, vents and fans, electrical outlets, AC units mounted to walls or windows, etc.

If you want to insulate and seal your home in the southeastern Virginia area, contact Tidewater Insulators to learn more about our air sealing package!