Small Sources of Home Air Loss That Might Surprise you

With the cold winter finally here, it’s time start thinking about whether or not your home is fully insulated. Air loss is the kind of thing that can easily go unnoticed by homeowners, yet the impact it can have on the energy efficiency of a home is impossible to ignore. Often, there isn’t one major culprit for air loss within a home, but a number of small sources that cause air loss to occur, many of which are tough to spot.

How Air Loss Occurs

When air is constantly escaping your home, so too is money from your wallet. In building science, this is referred to as “airflow.” Airflow isn’t necessarily the same thing as drafts, but the two concepts are similar enough in that an understanding of one will help you to gain a handle on the other. A typical Cincinnati home loses most of its air through the attic. The “makeup air” comes in from the cold basement and crawl spaces, which often happen to be dirty as well. As one might expect, this isn’t healthy air for you or your family to be breathing in, not to mention the fact that it works to cool your home when you’re trying to keep heat in.

Many homeowners are unaware of small air leaks that equal the equivalent of leaving a window or even a door open all winter. It doesn’t take a home energy specialist to know that this can drive your energy bills through the roof.

Small air leaks can come in many forms, including the following:

• Electrical Outlets — Leaks can occur behind faceplates, and the large holes in outlets cause air to move in and out with ease. The solution is to consider foam gaskets to help promote better insulation.
• Recessed Lighting Fixtures — In our last blog, we discussed the issues associated with recessed light fixtures. They allow air to enter and leave at will, and to a large extent. LED lights are the perfect solution.
• Holes and Gaps in the Foundation — The foundation of your home may be sturdy, but it can also be filled with holes and gaps. Air-sealing is essential to keeping this problem from getting worse.
• Small Gaps in the Attic — The attic is a major area for air loss to occur within, especially where the walls or chimney meet the attic. Again, air-sealing and insulation are crucial here.

Making the Right Changes

National offers high-quality air-sealing and insulation, and we’re happy to take on projects of any size. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep precious indoor air from escaping your home!