Air Sealing: A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners
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The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes the enormous potential that exists for improving the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of existing American homes. This series of Retrofit Techniques and Technologies describes approaches for homeowners and builders working on existing homes. This guide will help homeowners identify ways to make their homes more comfortable, more energy efficient, and healthier to live in. It also identifies the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution. Contractors can use this document to explain the value of these air sealing measures to their customers. The references in this document provide further explanation of air sealing techniques and technologies.
Studies show that the measures described in this guide can typically achieve whole-house energy savings of 10% to 20% over pre-retrofit energy usage. In older homes or homes with greater levels of air leaks, savings may be much higher.
These practices are based on the results of research and demonstration projects conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving the energy efficiency and comfort of existing homes and requires a test-in/ test-out to test combustion products (www.energystar.gov/homeperformance).
DOE’s Building America has worked with some of the nation’s leading building scientists and more than 300 production builders on over 41,000 new homes. Building America’s research applies building science to the goal of achieving efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable homes.
