If it seems like there are 5,280 issues in the home, perhaps that’s because there are a mile of exterior joints that can leak air, which would increase heating and cooling energy bills. It allows moisture, cold drafts, and unwelcome noise to enter a house.
How do you prevent this? Through air sealing.
Air sealing prevents leaks that cause an unwanted exchange of inside and outside air, heat, and moisture. This ensures that all the effort put into building a tight and well-insulated structure doesn’t go out the window (or through the walls, ceiling, or foundation).
The EPA believes that effective air sealing and the addition of insulation can result in savings of 15% on heating and cooling monthly bills. However, the value extends far beyond monetary considerations. It is never pleasant to suffer from discomfort in one’s own home; purchasing an air-sealing package can go a long way towards making your house feel more like, well, home.
Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to stop energy loss in a home. Thanks to Neeeco and the Sponsors of the Mass Save Program, air sealing is available at no cost to Massachusetts homeowners.
Does air leakage matter?
- 30% to 70% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home is often lost through air leakage.
- Air leakage is typically the main reason for outside air drafts, hot/cold patches, and other problems with air flow in your home.
- Air leakage is the main cause of moisture issues, particularly mold and mildew.
Home Comfort & Air Sealing Go Hand In Hand
The Victorian-style home of one of our clients was often drafty in the winter and incredibly hot in the summer. They worked to increase its efficiency over a 20-year period by adding a ton of insulation, replacing windows, purchasing a high-efficiency boiler, installing an air conditioning system, and adding a gas stove. At best, there was little impact. In an effort to feel comfortable, they were turning things on and off all the time.
It turns out that older homes lack adequate air sealing, making it very difficult to control the temperature. So when you decide to buy a new house, you should be smarter. When you initially move in, what should you do first? Install new thermostats, insulation, and even solar panels.
All of this is to say that, “comfort” is not equal to “efficiency”. Similarly, it’s possible to be “green” without being energy-efficient. Proper air sealing is the only method to guarantee comfort, sustainability, and efficiency in a home.
How beneficial is air sealing?
Have you ever questioned whether or not “air sealing your home” is worthwhile?
Both homeowners and professionals commonly disregard air sealing despite its importance in improving a home’s comfort, health, and ability to save energy costs.
Some homeowners worry that excessive air sealing may make their home too stuffy or hazardous, but many are unaware of its significant effect on their home’s comfort. Most of their worries come from the idea that air sealing is hard to do, costs more than it’s worth, or might not work.
It has advantages, but it is also very technical, requiring work in difficult-to-reach areas of your home. So you’ll get the best and most effective results if it’s done by an air sealing expert with a lot of experience.
Start with a no-cost Mass Save energy assessment to determine if your home needs air sealing and insulation. When you sign up today, you can also take advantage of up to 100% rebates and other Neeeco benefits! Have questions about Mass Save rebates? Visit our Mass Save FAQs page.
Looking for a Mass Save air sealing company near you? Call (781) 531-8951 or schedule a no-cost Mass Save energy audit online today to get started.