Air leakage, in which outside air infiltrates the home and inside air leaks out, is typically the best place to start when attempting to reduce heating and cooling costs. Sealing leaks should be a first priority - whether the home is an older building or new construction - because it is almost always the most cost-effective approach.
While people often think that windows and doors are the best place to start looking for air leaks, this is usually not the case. An energy principle known as the stack effect helps us to understand why attics, basements, pipe runs, and other likely hidden locations are often the largest sources of air leaks. The stack effect is driven by temperature: When it is colder outside, the increased pressure of heated air builds at the top of the house, pushing out with greater-than-usual intensity. As air leaves, the laws of physics dictate that it must be replaced. Thus, cold air enters and it does so at the basement level - the lowest pressure position in the house. Cold air from above or below ground level enters into the house. During cold weather, the stack effect works 24/7 and thus is a significant contributor to increased energy costs.
The best place to start sealing air leaks is in the attic. It is often the easiest in terms of access, should be most cost effective, and may make the house feel more comfortable throughout. Foam insulation for larger gaps and caulking are two commonly used sealing materials. After the attic, the basement should be the next place to start sealing.
Knowing exactly where to seal in the attic or the basement is important. Though it is best to consult with a professional who can run an air infiltration (blower door) test and/or an infrared inspection, you could begin by sealing the tops of the walls at the attic level and where the sill meets the foundation in the basement.
Every cubic foot of air that is kept in the house longer is a cubic foot of air that does not have to be reheated. Obviously starting to seal larger leaks makes the most sense, but effectively sealing a large number of small ones can add up to significant savings.
Tim Gould is director of Energy Egghead, an Amesbury-based company that can be found at www.ENERGYEGGHEAD.COM and provides professional energy audit and conservation services.
While people often think that windows and doors are the best place to start looking for air leaks, this is usually not the case. An energy principle known as the stack effect helps us to understand why attics, basements, pipe runs, and other likely hidden locations are often the largest sources of air leaks. The stack effect is driven by temperature: When it is colder outside, the increased pressure of heated air builds at the top of the house, pushing out with greater-than-usual intensity. As air leaves, the laws of physics dictate that it must be replaced. Thus, cold air enters and it does so at the basement level - the lowest pressure position in the house. Cold air from above or below ground level enters into the house. During cold weather, the stack effect works 24/7 and thus is a significant contributor to increased energy costs.
The best place to start sealing air leaks is in the attic. It is often the easiest in terms of access, should be most cost effective, and may make the house feel more comfortable throughout. Foam insulation for larger gaps and caulking are two commonly used sealing materials. After the attic, the basement should be the next place to start sealing.
Knowing exactly where to seal in the attic or the basement is important. Though it is best to consult with a professional who can run an air infiltration (blower door) test and/or an infrared inspection, you could begin by sealing the tops of the walls at the attic level and where the sill meets the foundation in the basement.
Every cubic foot of air that is kept in the house longer is a cubic foot of air that does not have to be reheated. Obviously starting to seal larger leaks makes the most sense, but effectively sealing a large number of small ones can add up to significant savings.
Tim Gould is director of Energy Egghead, an Amesbury-based company that can be found at www.ENERGYEGGHEAD.COM and provides professional energy audit and conservation services.
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