Should air sealing be your next home improvement project?
Many homes in Utah have gaps, holes and cracks where air freely flows in and out. The openings may be small, but air leaks can have a big impact. Finding all of the leakage points in your home and closing them off is a cost-effective way to minimize energy waste and create a safer, more comfortable living environment.
Why Air Sealing Matters
If your Utah home has air leaks, you likely have drafty areas and rooms that are warmer or cooler than others. Air sealing can keep your house more consistently comfortable ? and that?s not the only benefit it brings.
Air leaks make your heating and cooling equipment work harder, which decreases their lifespan and increases your energy costs. Gaps and openings also allow mold spores, pollen and dust to enter your home, compromising the indoor air quality and possibly causing health problems.
After air sealing, you won?t have these concerns. Instead, you?ll notice your energy bills drop and you?ll have the peace of mind in knowing that you have a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient home.
Where Air Leaks Can Occur
Air leaks can be found throughout the average Utah home, but certain areas are particularly prone to problems. Common trouble spots include:
- Window and door frames
- Dryer vents, appliance vents and exhaust fans
- Chimneys and fireplaces
- HVAC ducts and vents
- Electrical outlets and switch plates
- Attic rafter bays and roof penetrations
- Holes where wires and pipes pass through exterior walls
- Dropped ceilings and soffits
- Recessed light fixtures
How to Find Air Leaks
You can find obvious leakage points on your own. On a windy day, light a stick of incense and pass it close to potential leak spots. If the smoke moves erratically, air is likely escaping or entering.
This approach has limited benefits, however, as many of the common trouble spots we listed above aren?t very easy to access. As such, the incense trick isn?t going to help you find hidden air leaks ? for that, you?ll need to hire a professional energy auditor.
Professional Air Sealing Service
A professional energy auditor will first perform a complete assessment of your Utah home. Advanced techniques like a blower door test and thermal imaging work to find every gap, crack and opening. And along with areas that need air sealing, the home energy audit will reveal if your home has adequate ventilation to ensure a healthy and safe indoor environment.
Your professional auditor will also provide you with suggestions on how you can optimize your household energy efficiency, based upon the results of the home energy audit. You may benefit from additional insulation or new windows, for example. Follow your auditor?s advice, and you can dramatically slash your energy costs.
Are you to schedule professional air sealing for your Utah home? The experienced auditors at GreenHome Specialties, a locally owned and operated leader in energy-efficient home improvement services, can perform the task for an affordable price.
To learn more about GreenHome Specialties, or for a professional home energy audit and air sealing consultation, contact us today.
