Air Sealing
Air Sealing
Since 2009, Ecotelligent Homes has been using industry-leading air seal techniques to eliminate drafts in homes throughout Metro Detroit. Our building science knowledge and hands-on experience allow us to identify the true cause of your drafts and install the necessary improvements to eliminate the air leak at its source. Your home’s energy efficiency improvement is not complete without air sealing; this service makes all of the other systems of your home, like insulation and heating and cooling (HVAC) systems, function more effectively.
Our team of certified energy auditors is among the best in Southeast Michigan at identifying the root cause of your drafts. You may be surprised to find exactly where they are coming from in your home--9 times out of 10, the majority of your drafts are not from your windows. Ecotelligent Homes goes beyond most insulation companies to air seal at the source, as our on-staff crews frequently do drywall and wood trim work, not just caulk.
WHAT IS AIR SEALING?
Air moves through your home’s perimeter (or "building envelope"), creating drafts and breezes in two different ways: through a direct path and an indirect path. While direct air leakage paths are typically more visible, like the daylight you can see around your door when you need to upgrade the weather stripping, these direct paths typically make up a very small percent of your home’s total air leakage.
The major source of your home’s drafts are hidden in chases and gaps in the construction of your home. At Ecotelligent Homes we use a combination of materials like caulk, single part expanding foam, and two part spray foam insulation to seal the indirect air leakage paths. Some common areas of a home that we air seal as part of a comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrade include:
- Top plates
- Drop ceiling soffits (above cabinets or showers)
- Recessed lights
- Window trim
- Basement rim joists
CAN HOMES BE SEALED TOO TIGHTLY?
There is a common misconception that your ‘home needs to breath’ or that it can be ‘sealed up too tight.’ The industry standard and proper way to air seal your home is to ‘seal tight and ventilate right.’
Air sealing without regard for indoor air quality is dangerous! That's why the Ecotelligent Homes team recommends beginning all home improvements with a comprehensive home energy audit and completing all projects with our Six Point Quality Assurance Check. The blower door tests and health and safety inspections will not only help to identify the root cause of your drafts, they will also measure the amount of fresh air in your home to ensure good indoor air quality.
If your home requires added ventilation for improved indoor air quality, Ecotelligent Homes can help to identify what type of ventilation is best for you and your family.
Call 248-291-7815 to learn about the benefits of air sealing your home!
Blog Posts
Why Is My Upstairs So Hot?
This may hit home: In the summer, your rooms upstairs get way hotter than the rest of the house, even with the air conditioner running. Then winter comes, and the upstairs temperature drops by five to ten degrees compared to the main floor. More than almost anything else, our clients tell us about temperature swings […]
What You Should Know About a Blower Door Test
A drafty home is an uncomfortable home. Undesirable cold air enters your home in the dead of the winter and cool air from a high-efficiency air conditioner can escape during the hot summer. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also lead to energy waste and cause higher energy bills. Conducting a blower door […]
How Air Sealing & Insulation Work Together
When it comes to preparing your home for Michigan’s cold winter or hot summer, you might consider your home’s insulation and whether air sealing has been done or not. These are two important factors that directly contribute to your home’s energy performance. Improving your home’s uneven and uncomfortable temperatures can be resolved with these two […]
Case Studies
Jenny & Matt
Overview Jenny and Matt are concerned with their environmental impact and knew their home could be more energy efficient. Problem During a comprehensive energy audit, the Ecotelligent staff identified several energy efficiency opportunities through improved insulation and heating and cooling equipment. We also found a few indoor air quality concerns including mold in the attic, […]
Dave & Christiane
Overview Dave & Christiane had recently downsized to a unique Ann Arbor ranch home. They wanted to improve the efficiency and indoor air quality of their new home to enjoy a comfortable place with family and friends. Problem During a comprehensive energy audit, the Ecotelligent staff identified several areas for insulation improvement. Some portions of […]
Al W.
Overview Al W. is concerned about saving the Earth. While he updated the mechanical system in his home, he knew more could be done to make his home energy efficient. Problem Ecotelligent started by conducting an energy audit. During the audit, we found that the attic insulation was below ENERGY STAR levels and had multiple […]
THE ECOTELLIGENT DIFFERENCE
Ecotelligent Homes is a home performance contractor, which means we are a one-stop-shop and we manage the project from start to finish. We follow a three-step process when assessing and improving the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.
We can identify the source of your comfort, health and efficiency issues and present you with a solution to resolve the problem at its root.
Our licensed and insured team will install your improvements to industry-leading standards.
Our quality assurance check confirms the quality of our work and its impact on your home’s energy efficiency, comfort and health.