The Energy House team will find the needs for air sealing and weatherization in and around your property. Our home performance contractors are trained and supervised to tighten your structure to the highest levels expected in the industry. Air sealing and weatherization are the quickest and most affordable ways to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Overview Air Sealing & Weatherization

1. Air Seal and Weatherize – All penatrations in the house for utilities and piping. These openings need to be found and identified in an Energy Evaluation in order to be insulated with foam and sealed. In addition any doors that are not replaced in the renovation should be weatherstripped and made as air tight as possible.
2.  Weatherizing your windows
   a. Apply caulk around the outside edges of the window casing.
   b. If you have double-hung windows, open the bottom sash and install adhesive-backed foam weather-stripping to the tracks and to the bottom of the sash.

   

3. Weatherizing Your Doors
   a. Apply caulk to the outside edges of the door casing.
   b. Open the door and install weather-stripping to the inside of the doorjamb.
   c. If the door has a window, apply glazing or clear caulk to the edges of the windowpane.
   d. Stop under-door drafts with a rubber or vinyl door sweep along the bottom. In a pinch, a rolled-up towel can work too.
   e. Replace the threshold under the door with a flexible vinyl gasket. Look for an adjustable model that’s easy to fit to the proper height.
   f. If you have a side or basement door you rarely use, seal the edges with removable rope caulk.

   

4. Other Areas to Weatherize
   a. Electrical outlets, especially along exterior walls, are a prime spot for cold air drafts.
   b. Carefully unscrew the cover and press a foam gasket around the sockets. Put the cover back on and insert childproof safety caps into all unused outlets.
   c. The attic opening is another drafty spot. Install insulation over the back of the attic door; if you have hatch-type access, add foam weather-stripping around the top edges of the openings.
   d. Wood fireplaces are notorious sources of air leaks. Tight-fitting glass doors are the best way to prevent air from escaping or entering. When you’re not using the fireplace, keep the damper closed and close the glass doors tightly. If you never use the fireplace, plug the chimney with insulation and seal the doors shut with silicone caulk.
   e. The Chimney Balloon is the best product for stopping all drafts up a chimney that is on the market. When installed properly you can stop 98% of air leaks up the chimney.