Drafty House: Air Leakage

The question asked all winter long, “Do you feel that draft?” is all too common in many households. When you have a leaky home, you feel it. Controlling air leakage is one of the most important functions of weatherization. Something we’d like to explain is a concept called ‘Space-Conditioning Costs’. According to John Krigger, the author of Residential Energy, air leakage in buildings also represents 5% to 40% of space-conditioning costs. This means there is a percentage of your utility bill that flies right out the cracks and seams in your attic and basement. Are you paying a boatload of money in utilities in order to heat or cool your home every month, yet still finding yourself asking, “Do you feel that draft?” If so, this means your home is leaking all of your hard earned dollars out of hidden air leakage pathways. More importantly, these passageways may not be visible for you to discover on your own. Controlling air leakage is one of the most important functions of weatherization. By installing the correct air sealing and insulation measures, you can retrofit your home to be more cost and energy efficient. As an additional bonus, this also benefits your appliances. They won’t have to work as hard and run as long to maintain comfort. This will extend their life span. Whether you are an energy conservationist or an average homeowner, controlling the air leakage in your home is beneficial for all.