Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home can cut heating and cooling costs. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment. Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components, and weatherstripping is used to seal components that move. Here are a few suggestions for air-sealing your home.
- Hire an energy assessor or other weatherization expert to test your home for air tightness.
- Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air. Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
- Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.
- Install foam gaskets behind outlets and switch plates on walls.
- Inspect dirty spots on any visible insulation for air leaks and mold. Seal leaks with low-expansion spray foam made for this purpose.
- Look for dirty spots on your ceiling paint and carpet, which may indicate air leaks at interior wall/ceiling joints and wall/floor joists, and caulk them.
- Replace single-pane windows with more efficient double-pane low-emissivity windows.
- Replace exterior door bottoms and thresholds with ones that have pliable sealing gaskets.
Source: Energy.gov
