Minimizing air movement in and out of a house is key to building an energy-efficient home.\u00a0 Controlling air leakage is also critical to moisture control.\u00a0 It is always best to use techniques and materials identified as best practices for your site and climate.<\/p>\n
Air Barriers<\/p>\n
Air barriers block random air movement through building cavities.\u00a0 As a result, they help prevent air leakage into and out of your home, which can account for 30% or more of a home\u2019s heating and cooling costs.\u00a0 Although they stop most air movement, air barriers are not necessarily vapor barriers.\u00a0 The placement of air and vapor barriers in a structure is climate-dependent, and it is wise to work with building professionals familiar with energy-efficient construction in your area.<\/p>\n
Many of the materials used in a house as structural and finish components also act as air barriers.\u00a0 Sealing all the holes and seams between sheet goods such as drywall, sheathing, and subflooring with durable caulk, gaskets, tape, and\/or foam sealants will reduce air leakage.\u00a0 In addition, some types of insulation, like cellulose insulation, when densely packed in wall cavities and crevices, can reduce airflow as well as heat flow.<\/p>\n
House Wrap<\/p>\n
The most common air barrier material is house wrap, which is wrapped around the exterior of a house during construction.\u00a0 Wraps usually consist of fibrous spun polyolefin plastic, which is matted into sheets and rolled up for shipping.\u00a0 House wraps may also other materials woven or bonded to them to help resist tearing.\u00a0 Sealing house wrap joints with tape improves the wrap\u2019s performance by about 20%.\u00a0 All house wrap manufacturers have a special tape for this purpose.<\/p>\n
Airtight Drywall Approach and Simple Caulk and Seal<\/p>\n
Two-wall construction techniques-the airtight drywall approach (ADA) and simple caulk and seal (SCS) can be used to create a continuous air barrier within a house.\u00a0 Using one of these techniques can significantly reduce air leakage to help improve a home\u2019s energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
The typical procedure for ADA is to seal seams, joints, and openings in the building envelope during construction.\u00a0 SCS is less disruptive to the construction process because seams and gaps are sealed after the exterior sheathing and drywall have been installed and finished.\u00a0 However, SCS is less comprehensive that ADA, and may miss some critical points inside the building cavities that become inaccessible after the drywall is installed.\u00a0 Tests on ADA and SCS detailed homes indicate some similar energy savings.\u00a0 For health and safety, a heat or energy recovery ventilator should be installed in an airtight home for proper ventilation.<\/p>\n
Before developing an air sealing strategy, you should also consider the interactions among air sealing materials and techniques and other building components, including insulation, moisture control, and ventilation.\u00a0 This is called whole-house systems approach.<\/p>\n
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Minimizing air movement in and out of a house is key to building an energy-efficient home.\u00a0 Controlling air leakage is also critical to moisture control.\u00a0 It is always best to use techniques and materials identified as best practices for your … Continue reading