“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, July 14, 2007, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Topic: Eliminating Air Infiltration

Scott will take your calls at 314.436.7900 or toll-free at 1.800.925.1120.

It’s the middle of another Metropolitan St. Louis summer, and your doors and windows are shut because the air is on, yet bugs somehow get inside your home. When this happens, it means there is a gap just big enough for an insect to squeeze through, and gives you a clue to a much larger problem.

When a pest can enter, the hot outside air has been coming in as well. Plus, the cool air you pay for is also leaking outside. Come winter, it’s the reverse scenario, and whatever the season, that means some of your energy dollars are being utterly wasted. The quickest way to fix this problem and save as much as 10% on your energy bills is to seal, caulk and weatherstrip all seams, cracks and outside openings.

There are 11 key points of air leakage

1. Drop ceilings
2. Recessed lighting
3. Attic entrance
4. Sill plates
5. Furnace and water flues
6. Air ducts
7. Door frames
8. Chimney flashing
9. Window frames
10. Electrical outlets and switches
11. Plumbing and utility access

Each of these areas needs to be checked for air tightness, and any leakage must be sealed. There are several do-it-yourself tests, like holding up a lit incense stick to leak points on a windy day and watching for the smoke to go horizontal, or shutting a door or window on a piece of paper to see if you can remove it without tearing.

For a more accurate and thorough measure of your home’s air leakage, hire a certified technician to conduct an energy audit. By having a professional apply the blower door test and infrared thermal scanning, they will quickly identify all air leaks as well as determine your insulation needs.

Addressing air leaks not only helps with your energy performance, but gives you a more comfortable and healthier home all year long. Mosby Building Arts is Energy Star-certified to perform your Home Energy Audit and then take care of any issues discovered. Our motto is “Build it right, build it tight,” and plugging air leaks is the first step in living in a healthy home.

Related posts:

1. KMOX – Healthy Homes Are Energy Efficient
2. KMOX – Check Gutters During the Rainy Season
3. KMOX – Outdoor Living Options

Learn the Art of Living at CallMosby.com.

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