How to Air Seal a House

Are your electricity bills too high? Does your house feel drafty? Have you noticed mildew or mold on surfaces? It is possible that you have air leaks in your home that should be addressed as soon as possible. Here’s how to air seal a house.

There are several reasons why air sealing a house is important. Not only does having a well sealed house decrease the potential for possible mold and mildew buildup during the humid Florida seasons, but it can also greatly reduce heating and cooling costs throughout the year.

Where does a house need to be sealed?

To determine where you should focus on air sealing a house, you should have a qualified professional conduct an energy assessment. They will carry out a series of tests to determine where the air flow and pressure in your house is signalling air leaks. Generally, any place where air can enter or exit the home, including doors, window frames and attic or roof spaces are likely places for air leaks. However, less obvious locations like the floor, recessed lighting and duct work may be key sources of air leaks in your home.

How is a house air sealed?

With a combination of caulk and weather stripping, a home can be properly air sealed. The method will depend on the specific leak. For example, if you are experiencing significant air leakage along a chimney or water heater flue, you will likely need to use high temperature caulk and an aluminum barrier called flashing. Alternatively, if you need to seal a window it would be best to apply weather-stripping. The type of weather stripping may be tape, foam or vinyl, and will depend on the specific window needs.

Remember that insulation is also an important factor in reducing the heating and cooling cost of your home. Talk to a qualified professional at Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical, LLC today to discuss what measures would be appropriate to increase the efficiency of your home, as well as how to air seal a house.