Home Performance Audit
Air Sealing your homeStop Air from leaking out of your house
Air leakage, or infiltration, occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. Properly air sealing such cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment.
It is unwise to rely on air leakage for ventilation because it can't be controlled. During cold or windy weather, too much air may enter the house. When it's warmer and less windy, not enough air may enter. Air infiltration also can contribute to problems with moisture control. Moldy and dusty air can enter a leaky house through such areas as attics or foundations. This air in the house could cause health problems.
The recommended strategy in both new and old homes is to reduce air leakage as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed.
Note that air sealing alone can't replace the need for proper insulation throughout your home, which is needed to reduce heat flow.
Sealing Leaks
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Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills. Click on the house diagram to see common air leak locations that you should aim to seal.
Homeowners are often concerned about sealing their house too tightly; however, this is very unlikely in most older homes. A certain amount of fresh air is needed for good indoor air quality and there are specifications that set the minimum amount of fresh air needed for a house. If you are concerned about how tight your home is, Abacus Energy Solutions can use diagnostic tools to measure your home's actual leakage. If your home is too tight, a fresh air ventilation system may be recommended.
After any home sealing project, Abacus Energy Solutions will re-test your home to verify that your combustion appliances (gas- or oil-fired furnace, water heater, and dryer) are venting properly.
Sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that with a skilled contractor such as one of the Portland Energy Savers.com Providers you can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by sealing and insulating.
To seal and insulate with ENERGY STAR Portland Energy Savers.com Providers may recommend:
- Sealing air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts,
- Adding insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer,
- Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified windows when replacing windows.
You can also hire a contractor who will use special diagnostic tools to pinpoint and seal the hidden air leaks in your home.
Energy Trust Air Sealing IncentivesIncentives are only available for work performed by a licensed contractor such as one of those listed on this site.
Electric-heated homes: 50 percent of cost, up to $400; minimum 300 CFM50 reduction
Gas-heated homes: 50 percent of cost, up to $275; minimum 300 CFM50 reduction
Air leakage test: $35 per residence tested
Blower Door test required (measures the air leakage of your home before and after air sealing is performed).
Save even more in your electric- or gas-heated home with the deluxe Home Comfort Package.
Tax Credits
There are no tax credits available for this improvement.