Don’t Neglect Air Sealing When Planning Your Fall To-Do List

With colder weather just around the corner, one of the top items on your fall to-do list should be checking for and sealing any air leaks. The simple steps required to protect against air infiltration will have a big payback in energy savings and home comfort. The process of air sealing is easy, inexpensive and well worth the time and effort. 

Set aside a Saturday or a whole weekend for your air-sealing project. The first step determining where air sealing is required. Places where air typically infiltrates include:

• Around electrical switches and outlets.
• Around doors and windows.
• The lines where your home’s walls meet the foundation, floors and ceilings.
• Fireplace flues.
• The attic door.
• Recessed lighting fixtures.

The easiest method for finding air leaks is to walk through your house with a lit incense stick. Turn off your HVAC system, close the windows and exterior doors, and then investigate your home. Note any places where the smoke is affected by air drafts. These are the places that need to be sealed. Fall is a good time to go through this process, because once you start using your heating system on a consistent basis, the air infiltration will become more pronounced.

Simple solutions include caulking cracks, holes and penetrations where wires, pipes and cable penetrate your exterior walls. Foam pads are available for insulating electrical switch plates. Weatherstripping should be used on doors and moving windows.

While you’re at it, consider boosting your attic insulation, as well. A good layer of insulation and a well-sealed attic hatch will make a huge difference in both lowering your energy consumption and increasing your home comfort.

For decades, CR Wolfe has provided exceptional energy and comfort solutions to clients in Middletown and the surrounding Hudson Valley region. Contact us for expert advice. We’re happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about sealing air leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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