Seal Not, Save Not

Did you know that almost 50 percent of the average homeowner’s energy bill goes toward heating and cooling? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its ENERGY STAR® Home Sealing program, has recommendations on how you can trim these costs by as much as 20 percent, increase the comfort of your home and protect the environment.

What is Home Sealing?

ENERGY STAR Home Sealing is a process for improving the “envelope” of the home — the outer walls, ceiling, windows and floors. ENERGY STAR recommends:

• adding insulation to stay comfortable during cold winter nights and hot summer days;

• sealing air leaks to stop drafts and get the full performance from insulation; and

• choosing ENERGY STAR labeled windows when replacing old windows.

Air leakage from cracks and gaps throughout the home can equal as much air flow as leaving a window open all year long. These leaks force the heating and cooling equipment to work harder to keep your family comfortable—and your energy bills are the proof.

Home Sealing Benefits

A well-sealed and well-insulated home can improve the comfort of rooms that are too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. ENERGY STAR Home Sealing helps you save money and improve indoor air quality by preventing pollen, dust, and pollutants from entering the home. Also, decreasing the amount of moist air that leaks through the house can reduce mold and mildew growth on or inside walls and ceilings.

Fifteen percent of all greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming, are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Therefore, the less energy used, the less air pollution is generated.

Getting Started

For the best results, ENERGY STAR recommends that Home Sealing be performed by a home energy professional in your area. These experts use special diagnostic tools and equipment to locate your home’s leaks and then customize the most effective improvement plan. A professional will also perform a combustion safety test to be sure all your gas or oil burning appliances are working properly.

Homeowners can begin saving energy and money immediately with some of these “do-it-yourself” measures. Sealing air leaks around windows, weather stripping doors and adding insulation, especially around attic hatches, are all relatively simple, cost-effective projects that the average homeowner can safely and effectively tackle.

About ENERGY STAR

Helping Americans improve the efficiency of their existing homes and recognize efficient new homes are just two ways consumers can benefit from EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program. The ENERGY STAR can be found on more than 35 different product categories, including appliances, lighting, home office equipment, consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment. ENERGY STAR also offers tools that help you find out how efficient your home is and what type of improvements can help you make a change for the better. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $6 billion on their energy bills and reduced pollution equivalent to that of about 12 million cars.

Homeowners can contact the following home energy professional for more information or estimates on having Home Sealing performed on their houses:

Star Quality Air Conditioning http://www.starqualityair.com/duct_systems.html