Building science is a new concept to some homeowners. Building science is the study of how buildings consume energy and taking a whole-house approach to energy savings. By looking at the home as one unit, a qualified contractor can make recommendations for overall energy improvements rather than targeting just one area of the home.
Building science research shows one powerful energy improvement that can benefit any home — air sealing. Air sealing is the process of sealing penetration points around the envelope (shell) of the home. Penetration points are a result of the construction process and can be found around vents, chimneys, windows, and more.
ENERGY STAR estimates that proper air sealing techniques and upgrading insulation can save a homeowner up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill). Air sealing has some additional benefits:
- Reducing indoor allergens by helping to keep pollen and dust outside the home.
- Helps create a more consistent indoor temperature, reducing hot or cold spots that result from air infiltration.
- Reduce energy bills by keeping conditioned air inside the home, requiring heating and cooling systems to run less often.
If you are considering air sealing your home, spray foam insulation is the product to consider. With one application, spray foam insulation increases R-value and seals air leaks. This one application provides two benefits! Click here to learn more about spray foam insulation.
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