Your HVAC system can account for between 40-55% of your home’s energy consumption. The more efficiently it performs, the lower your bills and your carbon footprint will be. Unfortunately, even if you have a newer energy-saving system, you can’t get the full benefit of this system if you have significant air leakage. Outside air can travel into your home through cracks in the floor, walls, and ceiling, as well as through fixtures such as windows, doors, and even electrical outlets along an exterior wall.
Attic air sealing prevents outside air from entering your home and ensures that your conditioned air stays within the interior walls, so you don’t have to waste energy cooling or warming your home. In fact, there are many benefits this project can offer, provided you have adequate insulation and ventilation. If you are on the fence wondering, “is air sealing the attic worth it?”, some of the benefits of air sealing attic crawl spaces include:
Consistent temperatures throughout your home
Your HVAC system is designed to distribute conditioned air throughout your home evenly, but air leaks, obstructions in your ducts, or heat gain and loss through uninsulated areas can prevent your system from distributing air evenly throughout the house.
Reducing attic air leaks and thermal transfer, as well as improving your home’s ventilation, reduces strain on your HVAC system and helps it keep the entire house comfortable. Even if you have sunny areas in your home, the improved air flow will help move cold or warm air throughout the house to reduce indoor temperature differences from one room to the next. You can further these benefits with an insulation upgrade and by installing new windows or adding window wraps to mitigate heat transfer.
Improved indoor air quality and a cleaner home
The filters on your HVAC system are designed to clear out dust and debris from your indoor air, and depending on the filter they clear out allergens and other contaminants. Air leaks or damage in the duct system can allow these particles to enter the air. Similarly, air leaks in the rest of your house can let outside air, and all the pollen, dirt, and other things that come with it, into your house.
Sealing your ducts and the air leaks throughout your house can reduce dust and dirt build-up and improve allergy symptoms, which can make your house a safe haven during allergy season, especially if you have asthma.
Save energy and money with improved efficiency
Air leaks and thermal transfer can significantly impact the heating or cooling cycle of your HVAC system. In some cases, it may cause your system to turn on and off for short periods of time, while in others it may cause your system to run constantly. This can cause mechanical issues, and it will definitely reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning and heater. Just like stopping and starting your car in traffic or driving too fast wastes fuel in your car, your HVAC system will burn excess energy when it’s not operating as intended.
Sealing and insulating your home, as well as improving air flow will help your HVAC system operate at peak efficiency in the summer and winter and help you avoid turning it on for longer when the weather is nice outside. Because these improvements to your home can last for years, the investment pays for itself and will ultimately save you money in the long run on your utility bill and HVAC repairs.
Moisture control
A leak in your roof can cause significant water damage even after a single rainstorm, but roof leaks aren’t the only way moisture can get into your home. Because the difference between the indoor temperature and your attic can vary widely, water vapor in the air can form droplets throughout your attic space unless you can control it. Insulation, ventilation, and air sealing projects can prevent mold, mildew, and water damage from causing health issues and compromising the structure of your house.
Protect your house from pest
By eliminating air leakage in your home, you also reduce entry points for pests. Animals such as termites, rats, and mice can cause extensive damage to your home, and many insects and rodents carry diseases. They can chew through wires, scratch or heat your home support beams, and destroy attic insulation. Some of them may even bite if you have close contact with them.
Beyond improving the energy efficiency of your home, our team can help rodent-proof your attic and clean up contaminated areas in the crawl space and attic, so you aren’t exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses associated with rodent waste. As with many problems, pest prevention is always cheaper and safer than trying to clear your house of an infestation.
Noise control
If your neighbor wakes up early every Saturday to mow the yard, or you live by a busy road, the outside noise can be a big nuisance. Properly air sealing attic spaces, windows, doors, and so forth can help make your home a quieter, more relaxing environment, so you can sleep in late whenever your schedule allows it, as well as turn the volume up on your favorite album without worrying about a noise complaint.
Many people blame thin walls when they can hear everything that happens in any part of the house. While adding wall insulation may help, often the problem lies in your air conditioner. Sealing and insulating your air ducts can keep things like conversations, music, or the sound of the TV from carrying room to room, so you can enjoy a little more privacy or focus better while other people in the home carry about with their business.
When to consider attic air sealing
Many newer homes are built to better standards than older homes, and not every house has air leakage or insulation issues. However, no matter how old your home is, you should consider hiring an attic air sealing service if you have:
- Costly energy bills
- Noticeable drafts
- Certain rooms are too hot or too cold
- Damaged or missing insulation
- Mold or mildew in the attic
- Dry indoor air
Benefits of hiring a professional
While many people may prefer the DIY route, this is a time-consuming project to take on your own, and any mistakes can cost you money and waste your weekend. Without the proper training or tools, sealing air leaks in the attic or adding insulation can reduce your home’s ventilation, which can exasperate moisture issues.
An expert will also understand where air leakage occurs throughout the house and can seal it with the appropriate materials. They will already know how blown insulation settles and can install the correct amount, and understand when it’s appropriate to use spray foam or fiberglass batts in different areas of your attic.
Additionally, there are many safety concerns to consider. The attic can get extremely hot, which puts you at risk of heatstroke if you don’t take proper precautions. Damaged insulation can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, and some of it may contain asbestos.
The experienced specialists at Attic Construction have the tools and training to get the job done safely and efficiently the first time. We can quickly identify where air infiltration occurs with a blower door test, evaluate the condition of existing insulation, and help you determine the correct R-value and type of insulation for different areas of your home.
By hiring our team, you can rest assured that your home will have increased efficiency without wasting time, money, or materials on learning how to air seal attic leaks without help. Fiberglass insulation can last for up to 100 years without losing any effect, making it an investment that will pay for itself over and over again. However, things like moisture, dirt, punctures, or heavy boxes stored on top of it can damage it, and you’ll have to replace it. Our installers can ensure your insulation lasts for as long as possible through proper installation and by educating you on ways to avoid damaging it.
The bottom line
Having a comfortable home gives you a safe haven where you can relax and enjoy your free time however you see fit, and by hiring trusted professionals, an attic air sealing project can provide that any time of the year. Attic Construction operates 7 days a week, and we work with you to schedule a free consultation whenever it’s convenient to you. Our technicians offer attic services in the San Diego, Orange County, and Phoenix areas, and we have over a decade of experience providing world-class service for all of our customers. We will provide a detailed inspection with photos and educate you on how each of our suggestions can improve the safety or energy efficiency of your home, and give you an immediate estimate for your job.
The longer you wait to seal and insulate your home, the more money you’ll waste on your utility bill. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and learn more about our services.