Will Air Sealing Improve Indoor Air Quality For Your Barrie Home?
Attic insulation prevents energy from being lost through your ceilings and roof. However, installing insulation is only half the battle when it comes to creating an energy-efficient attic. You also should perform air sealing to prevent water from leaking in and air from leaking out. Air sealing in your attic can mitigate energy loss and moisture problems, and it can improve your indoor air quality.
In this article, we will discuss the concept of air sealing in attics and its connection to indoor air quality to help you improve your home living conditions and enjoy big energy savings.
What is Air Sealing and Why You Need It
Air sealing as the name implies involves sealing gaps, cracks, and openings in your home. These gaps are often found on windows, doors, walls, ceilings, foundations, and attics.
Moisture can enter your attic in several ways. Roof leaks are a big source, as are household vents—such as bathroom fans—that send humid air directly into the attic (as opposed to the outdoors). Moisture in the attic can ruin insulation, decreasing its effectiveness, and creating an environment conducive to mold growth and rot.
The goal is to avoid mold and microorganisms from growing inside your attic, as they can also enter your living space.
Is Air Sealing Your Home Worth It
A healthy attic starts with a strong, weatherproof roof. A high-quality roof is an investment you’ll appreciate for many years as it protects your home. It’s easiest to put on a good roof during initial construction, but “retrofits” can make existing roofs more efficient.
Air sealing your home is one of the best steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality, especially if you have family members with respiratory issues or allergies.
Air sealing and proper ventilation go hand in hand. When done right, air sealing can also allow your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to work more efficiently, as the conditioned air meant for your room cannot escape and can effectively do its job of keeping you cool or warm.
How To Air Seal Your Attic
To achieve professional-grade air sealing in your attic, you or your contractor should:
- Find leaks. Air leaks can be located anywhere your ceiling/attic floor has been penetrated. This includes plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, chimneys, wires, ducts, and entryways. It’s best to find and seal leaks before installing insulation, because insulation may hide them or make them inaccessible (though it won’t prevent air from getting through).
- Seal leaks. Caulk, spray foam and weather stripping are all good materials used to seal attic leaks. Preventive sealing can be done in places that don’t currently leak. A fire-resistant material, such as high-temperature caulk, is required around chimneys.
- Install efficient barriers. Barriers are especially important between the top floor of the house and the attic. Humidity from bathrooms and kitchens often rises directly up into the attic.
The Connection Between Air Sealing and Indoor Air Quality
Now, to finally answer the question: Does air sealing your home improve indoor air quality? Yes.
If your home is airtight and conditioned air cannot escape, you will have a controlled and insulated living environment. This enhances energy efficiency and also helps maintain healthier indoor air quality, as you keep outside pollutants at bay.
Hire The Best Barrie HVAC Contractor
If you’re concerned about the quality of the air in your home, we recommend consulting with a professional HVAC contractor in your local area. Find a reputable contractor who can perform indoor air quality testing effectively and efficiently.
Custom Comfort ClimateCare offers indoor air quality testing for Barrie and Simcoe County homeowners.
Our expert technicians in Barrie can help you assess the level of pollutants, allergens, and other contaminants in your indoor air. Based on the IAQ testing results, we will recommend appropriate solutions, which might include air sealing to enhance the effectiveness of your HVAC system and improve indoor air quality.
If you have questions about saving energy and improving indoor air quality with attic air sealing, contact the best HVAC contractor in Barrie, Custom Comfort ClimateCare. We’re happy to help homeowners in Barrie and Simcoe County save energy.
