Fall is in full swing, and many homeowners living in and around Manassas, VA are beginning to notice cold spots popping up once again. Summer often hides these issues, but once temperatures begin to fall, cold spots make themselves known in short order. It’s easy to assume that the problem is due to a faulty HVAC system, but this is typically not the case at all.
More often than not, cold spots or even entire rooms that are difficult to keep warm are the direct result of a leaky building envelope.
What is the Building Envelope?
Your home’s building envelope—also commonly referred to as the “home envelope”—plays a crucial role in overall performance, indoor comfort and energy efficiency. The building envelope is essentially what separates the indoor living spaces within your home from the outside environment. Its job is to ensure that unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of your home doesn’t occur, ensuring a comfortable indoor environment for you and your family year-round.
Everything starts to go sour the moment that a home’s building envelope begins to fail, and many people don’t even realize that they’re dealing with such a problem.
The Problem: A Lack of Air Sealing and Insulation
There are two major factors that contribute to a strong, well-sealed building envelope: air sealing and insulation. While the number may seem shocking, around 90% of homes throughout the United States lack proper insulation. This is especially true of older homes, which tend to feature dirty and thin attic insulation that is no longer capable of doing its job. Alongside this all-too-common problem is the issue of cracks and gaps located throughout the home, which allow unwanted air exchange to occur 24/7.
The solution can be found in air sealing the home along with installing high-performance insulation. Materials such as spray foam, cellulose and fiberglass are available to accommodate homes of all different shapes and sizes, and once properly installed, they can help to ensure that your heating and cooling systems never have to work overtime in order to create a comfortable living environment. A well-sealed building envelope not only leads to a more comfortable home, but also reduced energy bills and enhanced home efficiency.
Is your building envelope strong enough to keep your home warm this winter? The team at The Fifth Fuel is here to help you find out! Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our energy efficiency specialists.
