Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for a healthy, comfortable home. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize how much the integrity of their home’s “envelope”—the walls, roof, windows, and doors—affects their indoor air. When small gaps and cracks develop around these areas, outdoor pollutants, allergens, and dust can sneak into your living spaces, impacting your air quality and even your health.
Air sealing is one of the most effective ways to boost indoor air quality and improve overall energy efficiency in the home.
What Is Air Sealing?
Air sealing involves identifying and closing gaps in the structure of your home that allow outdoor air to enter and conditioned air to escape. Common areas needing air sealing include door frames, window frames, attics, basements, and spaces around pipes and wires that pass through the walls. By sealing these gaps, you create a more airtight environment, which keeps unwanted particles, pests, and even moisture from infiltrating your indoor air supply.
Why Air Sealing Matters for Indoor Air Quality
One of the most important benefits of air sealing is improved IAQ. Without air sealing, airborne particles like pollen, dust, mold spores, and vehicle exhaust can enter your home through cracks and crevices. This exposure can worsen allergy symptoms, trigger asthma attacks, and even lead to respiratory issues over time. Additionally, air sealing prevents humidity from entering the home, which helps control moisture levels and discourages mold growth.
Homes without adequate air sealing often have poor air quality, as they constantly pull in unfiltered air from the outdoors. Air sealing provides a defense against this by allowing only clean, filtered air to circulate within your home. With air sealing in place, you’re no longer fighting a constant battle against pollutants that seep into your living space. This step is especially helpful if you or your family members have respiratory conditions or allergies that worsen with indoor pollution.
Air Sealing: An Energy Efficiency Boost
Beyond IAQ, air sealing also improves energy efficiency. When your home has unsealed gaps, your heating and cooling systems work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, which increases energy usage and utility bills. Air sealing reduces the workload on your HVAC system, allowing it to operate more efficiently and last longer, too.
Air sealing in Howell, MI is especially beneficial due to the seasonal temperature shifts. During Michigan winters, a well-sealed home reduces heat loss, while in summer, it keeps the cool air in, reducing the need for constant AC use. This not only benefits the environment by lowering energy consumption but also keeps more money in your pocket each month.
Partner with Professionals for Effective Air Sealing
While some DIY air-sealing projects are possible, it’s usually best to hire professionals who have the right tools and expertise. They can use specialized equipment to detect and seal every gap and crack, ensuring your home is well-protected. Air sealing services can make a huge difference in your home’s comfort and efficiency.