We experience a wide range of temperatures throughout the year here in DC, Metro Maryland, and Northern Virginia, and it’s important to keep our homes protected from the elements. While it’s true that upgrading your home’s insulation can provide comfort and efficiency benefits, its performance is greatly improved when you air seal in tandem.
At The Fifth Fuel, we have over 30 years of experience helping families lower their energy bills and make their homes healthier and more comfortable. As building science experts, we’ve become leaders in our industry of making homes better for people and the environment. Keep reading to learn why we always advocate for combining insulation and air sealing.
Why Both Insulate & Air Seal?
Insulation and air sealing work together to create a barrier around your home that helps keep heated and cooled air inside of your home and outdoor temperatures, pollutants, and pests out. This not only takes unnecessary strain off your HVAC system, but also offers several whole-home benefits, including:
- Improved indoor air quality
- Moisture & mold protection
- Noise reduction
- Increased home comfort
- Lower energy bills
Spray Foam: Insulation & Air Sealing All in One
Most types of insulation don’t offer much protection from air movement while air sealing doesn’t do much against heat transfer. However, spray foam insulation can do both!
Spray foam is a solution that can be sprayed into small crevices throughout your home. The foam will expand and harden as it cures, providing optimal coverage of air leaks as well as protection from all types of heat transfer. When professionally installed, spray foam insulation is a complete, high-performance solution to energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality issues. This all-inclusive product is great for areas that are susceptible to moisture and air movement, like your attic and crawlspace.
Get Started with a Home Energy Audit
The best way to know exactly where your home could benefit from insulation and air sealing upgrades is through an energy audit with a team of building scientists, like The Fifth Fuel. This in-depth assessment of your home gives you valuable insight into its specific needs.
Based on your energy audit results, we’ll make recommendations on what services we think will have the greatest impact on your energy bills and comfort, like attic insulation. We’ll also go over the different types of insulation, like spray foam, fiberglass or cellulose, to ensure we find the best fit for your home.
The Fifth Fuel: Your Local Whole-Home Experts
Efficiency is our goal at The Fifth Fuel because we believe it’s the future of powering our world. We work on both new and existing homes with a scientific approach to finding reliable and long-lasting solutions. When you work with The Fifth Fuel on your home project, we’ll also let you know what rebates and incentives are available to you that can lower the initial cost of your air sealing and insulation installation.
