There are some things that simply go together. Mornings and coffee. Cheese and fine wine. Sonny and Cher. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Here’s a natural duo you might not be aware of: insulation and air sealing. While insulation and air sealing are two different energy efficiency upgrades you can have a home performance expert complete in your home, they work hand-in-hand to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
How Do Insulation & Air Sealing Work?
You probably already know a thing or two about insulation. Insulation — whether cellulose, spray foam, or fiberglass — creates a thermal barrier that regulates heat flow all year long. It keeps heat out of your living spaces during the summer and inside your living spaces during the winter. The most important places to install insulation are the attic, exterior walls, and crawlspace.
While insulation controls heat flow, air sealing controls air flow. Air sealing eliminates all of the tiny holes and cracks in your home which allow air to travel freely in and out. When done properly, it prevents indoor drafts and air movement into the attic via the attic hatch, recessed lighting, wire penetrations, and more.
How Do They Complement Each Other?
Now, here’s where things really get interesting. You truly cannot have one of these energy saving updates without the other. If you were to insulate without air sealing first, air would flow right through your insulation, making it less effective at controlling indoor temperatures. If you were to seal air leaks without insulating after, heat would still seep into and out of your home through the roof and walls.
In other words — insulation and air sealing may each offer valuable benefits on their own, but the benefits become even more amplified when you pair them together. When you air seal and insulate key areas of your house at the same time, you can expect benefits like:
-
Protection against extreme outdoor temperatures
-
More consistent indoor temperatures
-
Year-round energy savings
-
Lower monthly utility bills
-
Decreased humidity in the home
-
Better indoor air quality (IAQ)
-
Reduced outside noise
Save Energy & Feel More Comfortable at Home
Tired of comfort issues like high humidity, a hot upstairs, or cold drafts? Put an end to these headaches once and for all with an insulation and air sealing update. The Fifth Fuel experts use state-of-the-art equipment to detect exactly where air leaks and insulation gaps are in houses in Alexandria, Arlington, and throughout the DC area. We’ll find exactly what’s causing your indoor comfort issues and make the right air sealing and insulation upgrades to bring you energy savings, lower utility bills, and more.
