Air Sealing
Air sealing is one of
the most significant OneThings you can do in your home. It will not
just reduce energy costs, it will also improve your home's comfort. And
the best part is, many air sealing techniques are cheap and easy to do.
What is Air Sealing?
It's a general term for properly sealing
cracks, holes and other small openings in your home to keep outside air
from leaking in, causing your heating or cooling systems to have to
work harder and use more energy.
Air Sealing Tools
The most common tools are caulk and
weather-stripping. In fact, there are literally hundreds of different
weather-stripping products out there for just as many different air
sealing applications. Plus, there's expanding foam, outlet and switch
plate gaskets, window film, even those long, thin beanbags you put at
the bottom of your doors to stop drafts. Talk to your retailer to learn
more about using these products.
Finding Air Leaks
For a thorough and accurate measurement of
air leakage in your home, you can hire a qualified technician to
conduct an energy audit. On your own, you can find many leaks with your
bare hands. In the winter especially, feel around places you think a
draft or leak might be and you'll likely notice cold air coming in.
Here are some common areas where leaks occur:
- Where different materials meet, like between brick and wood siding,
between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding.
- Door and window frames
- Mail chutes
- Outlets and switch plates
- Electrical and gas service entrances
- Cable TV and phone lines
- Outdoor water faucets
- Where dryer vents pass through walls
- Damaged bricks, siding, stucco and foundation
- Air conditioners
- Vents and fans
If you want, you can count every crack or hole you seal off as OneThing!