Energy Efficiency Solutions: Plug The Holes(Leaks)!
Plug The Holes(Leaks)!
Whenever you are undertaking a home improvement project, DO NOT overlook or miss the
opportunity to reduce air leaks(even the slightest leak).
Whether they're opening up walls or adding new ones, replacing windows or deck slider, working in the attic, the basement, or the crawl space, air-sealing (plugging the leaks) should be part of the overall scope of the project where possible.
You'd be amazed at how much air leakage there really is in the average home. For your home to do its job, it must separate the inside from the outside. In some homes these concealed air leakage areas can add up to twenty square feet. That size of a leakage area is like leaving a door wide open all winter long!
Like Dr. Busby, a leading Building Science Expert proved with the NASA Space program in the 60's and 70's, and then with over 10,000 homes; these fundamental principles.
Keep conditioned air inside and unconditioned air outside. Air leaks waste energy Air leakage works both ways. In the Winter, cold air coming in means heated air goes out(somewhere) adding to the heating or cooling load of your home and costs you money. The opposite would be true in the Summer.
Keep bad air out, and stay healthy. In many places the term letting in 'fresh air' isn't necessarily a good thing. Chances are, it's probably not the most healthy air - moldy air from the crawl space, carbon monoxide and gasoline fumes from the garage, dead animal parts from the attic, pollen from outdoors... especially if you have allergies.
Keep moisture out of your walls. When it's hot and muggy outside, you don't want to pull that moisture into your home through your wall cavities. When it's cold outside, the warm, relatively humid air inside can condense inside wall cavities and rot them out. This can lead to a number of hidden problems.
Window and door openings are major air leakage sites in walls. Whether you replace windows and doors or not, you may well have access to the gaps between the window or door frame and the wall framing.
When you open up walls, floors, and/or ceilings, it's a great opportunity to make a long-lasting benefit to you and the next homeowner. If you're already in there doing remodeling work, take full advantage.
Certainly, everyone wants a home that is, affordable, comfortable, healthy and durable. These are very cost effective ways of achieving those results.