Seal In Energy Efficiency and Comfort

Do you have areas in your home where it's too hot or too cold? It could be air leaking through holes or cracks in the walls or roof. Sealing those gaps is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home and increase comfort.

Finding leaks

Start by locating where air leaks are occurring. Where do you look? It could be any place where two materials meet, such as the foundation walls and the flooring, or where there's an opening to the outdoors. Particular areas of concern include:

• Around your home—gaps around exterior doors and cracked caulking around window frames
• In the basement—holes around where plumbing, wiring or ductwork penetrate exterior walls
• In the attic—gaps around ceiling fans, recessed light fixtures and electrical outlets

Fixing leaks

You've found the leaks, now it's time to seal them. Commonly used sealing materials include caulk, weatherstripping and expanding foam.

• Caulk. You can use caulking compound to seal air leaks in windows and throughout your home. Most caulking compounds come in disposable cartridges that fit in caulking guns. Before applying caulk, remove any old caulking material and clean the area. Apply caulk at a consistent angle and in a constant stream, avoiding stops and starts. The type of caulk you choose will depend on where it's being used:
  • Silicone can withstand extremes in temperature, and remains flexible when dry. It's ideal for filling air leaks around windows. It can be difficult to apply, however, and clean up can be messy.
  • Durable latex works well around windows and doors, and it can be painted. It's ideal for indoor use, but it doesn't hold up well in cold temperatures—so it's not recommended for outdoor use.
  • Oil-based is suitable for sealing flashings and vents, and for chimney repair. It's durable, and hardens quickly, but it can be difficult to clean up.
  • Acrylic latex with silicone is durable, easy to work with, and cleans up easily. It adheres well to most surfaces and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• Weatherstripping stops air leaks around doors and the attic access. Made from an assortment of materials, including foam, felt, vinyl, aluminum, and bronze, weatherstripping is available in a variety of depths and widths, suitable for most applications. Choose weatherstripping that withstands the friction, weather, temperature changes, as well as wear and tear, associated with the area where it's being applied.
• Expanding foam insulation comes in a spray bottle. It's really handy because you spray just a little in the gap and it expands to fill it in. Wear gloves and be careful not to get expanding foam on your clothes, as the foam is very sticky and nearly impossible to remove once it sets.

With a little time and effort, you can put a stop to energy waste and make your home more comfortable. Or, you can apply to see if you’re eligible for SWEPCO’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Pathway for no-cost air sealing, duct sealing and more! For more information, see Air Sealing Your Home from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Return to newsletter