Creating a home that is comfortable and at the same time energy efficient is something many homeowners strive for but, is it very easy to achieve? It can be, for example, one effective way to improve energy efficiency is by sealing and insulating the home. Perhaps you are thinking that it would be a job for a professional, but the reality is that most homeowners can do small sealing and insulating tasks themselves. Here are a few areas where air is most likely to escape:
One place where you would expect air to escape is the attic space. You may notice gaps or holes behind or under attic knee walls, in dropped ceiling areas, and in the areas where the attic meets the floor. Any holes you find should be closed up. What about the very small holes, how can you detect those? One area to watch out for is patches of insulation that appear darker than the rest, this is an indication that air is escaping. You may also want to consider applying foam board insulation or weatherstripping to the attics access panel.
Where else will you find air escaping in the home? Some other places that will benefit from sealing and insulation are window frames, doors, baseboards, electrical outlets or receptacles, wall-mounted or window air conditioners, and piping.
As you can see, there are numerous areas throughout a home, especially an older home, where air can easily escape. Sealing and insulation will not only help you to save on cooling and heating costs, but a home that is tightly sealed will contribute to improved air quality and comfort as well.