air sealing

Air Sealing reduces building air leakage

All buildings are "leaky" to varying degrees.  Air sealing holes, cracks, and channels where air is leaking out of the building (ex-filtration) and where air is leaking into the building (infiltration) is one of the most important things to do as buildings typically lose 10-30% of their conditioned air through leakage AND THIS COSTS YOU MONEY.  

In the winter, convective air currents can draw warmer moist air from basements, crawl spaces and through outlets and cracks in the walls up to the cold attic causing heat loss and potentially condensation on cold surfaces. In the summer, these same air bypasses can allow hot unconditioned air to draw the cold conditioned air through the attic plane. When a building is air sealed properly, the building envelope keeps healthy conditioned air and temperatures on the inside of the home and keeps uncontrolled air out.

The Whole Building Approach

At Energia, air sealing is part of a “whole building” approach to weatherizing a building. We understand that the various components of a building (heating and cooling systems, insulation, doors & windows, ventilation, climate, occupants, and more) all are intertwined. All of our services, air sealing included, have positive benefits related to controlling moisture, improving health and safety, boosting comfort, and optimizing insulation performance.

Energia's Air sealing Process:

1. Start with a Blower Door Test

Air sealing ideally starts with a Blower Door Test, which identifies current air leaks and a whole house air leakage number.  Blower door-assisted air sealing along with infrared thermography helps highlight problem areas.

2. Spot Treat Problem Areas

Our team spot treats any problem areas with spray foam guns and major chases are sealed off using reflective foil and foam.  These areas typically include holes around plumbing pipes and electric and communication wires, cracks along where wall tops meet the attic plane and basement sill framing meets the foundation.

3. Air Sealing & Fire Safety

Areas around combustion flues and chimneys must be treated properly to conform with building codes for fire safety. Chimney perimeters often contribute to heat loss through air movement.

4. Caulking & Closed Cell Spray Foam

Some highly visible areas around window, door and baseboard trim may require the use of a more aesthetically appealing caulking alternative.  Some clients with chemical sensitivities may require the use of caulking products with a low or no-VOC content (volatile organic compounds)

A flash coat of closed cell spray foam can be used to seal off walls or floors to separate the interior conditioned areas from the adjacent unheated spaces.

5. Test for Effectiveness

During and after the work is done we retest the building with a Blower Door to gauge the effectiveness of the installation.

If you’re ready to improve the efficiency and comfort of your western Massachusetts Home or Building, contact us HERE or call us at 413-322-3111 for a free estimate!

Energia proudly serves Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, Berkshire, and Worcester Counties.

Read our Air Sealing FAQs to learn more.

 

WANT A FREE ESTIMATE?

Our team can provide free estimates for your air sealing project.

CALL 413-322-3111

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