Deciding the Best Way to Air Seal Your Home

Air leaks allow your home’s conditioned air to escape and do nothing to prevent the infiltration of outdoor air, pollutants and moisture inside your home. Sealing these leaks saves on energy costs and keeps your home more comfortable. Here are several options for air sealing your home.

Caulk

Caulk is one of the best materials for air sealing small gaps around stationary parts of windows and exterior doors, and for sealing other small cracks and gaps in the building envelope. For best results, use a high-performance caulk that is labeled to withstand cold temperatures without cracking. Apply a liberal amount to ensure the gaps are fully sealed, and wipe off any excess with a damp rag.

Weatherstripping

Use weatherstripping for sealing around movable components, such as attic hatches and window sashes. Reinforced felt weatherstripping is inexpensive and easy to place around door jambs and window sashes. The downside is that you will need to check it frequently for wear and replace it annually, in many cases. For longer-lasting results, use pliable rubber or vinyl weatherstripping.

For the underside of exterior doors, a common place for drafts, install door sweeps.

Expandable Foam

Caulk and most weatherstripping won’t sufficiently seal large gaps, like the gaps you might find around some window frames or beneath baseboards. Use expandable spray foam for sealing these larger areas.

Fire-Resistant Sealing

Air leaks are common around chimneys and flues. These gaps should be sealed with sheet metal and furnace cement, which can safely withstand high temperatures.

Storm Windows

Most wood-framed windows in older homes are difficult to fully weatherproof through weatherstripping and caulking alone. Overtime, temperature and moisture variations cause wood to expand and contract, causing numerous gaps and cracks. In this situation, installing storm windows, in addition to using caulk and weatherstripping, can provide better air sealing.

For more information about air sealing your home, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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