The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by sealing their homes with air and adding insulation to attics, floors above tight spaces, and beams on the edges of accessible basements. According to Energystar, up to 30% of hot or cold air can be lost due to holes and leaks before sealing, resulting in an average of 15% savings on energy bills. If you want to make the most out of your energy savings, it's important to identify and seal the most common trouble spots in your home. Doing so can reduce gas consumption and help you save money on your energy bills.
To start, turn off the basement lights and look for gaps in the walls from the inside. You can seal them with putty or foam. Liquid foam is especially effective for larger openings, as it prevents airflow and adds insulation. Drafty homes may require an air change every few hours. Reducing the amount of air entering and leaving your home is a cost-effective way to reduce heating and cooling costs, improve durability, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment.
Exterior doors are another major source of air leaks, which usually occur between the door and the jamb. Putty is generally used for cracks and openings between fixed components of houses, such as around door and window frames, while weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and windows. Be sure to seal the heating, cooling, and ventilation ducts that run through the basement, as well as the openings in the foundation wall where plumbing pipes exit. The recommended strategy is to reduce air leaks as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed.
