WHY DOES AIR TIGHTNESS MATTER?
Most older homes have a ton of small gaps that allow unconditioned air in and conditioned air out. This
unwanted airflow wastes energy and reduces the effectiveness of heating and cooling systems. They can also
cause moisture issues and can let dust, pollen and other pollutants into the home.
Some of these air gaps might be obvious, like the ones around poorly sealed windows or doors. However, many
are not. They can be in the connections between walls, floors or ceilings or they can be through utility lines
like plumbing and electric runs. They are also found in chimneys, skylights vents, and light switches.
In an airtight home, the contractor's assembly & installation of products will eliminates gaps that allow
unwanted air to flow between the conditioned interiors and unconditioned exterior.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COSTS?
Simply put, wasted energy is wasted money. If the conditioned air inside your home is escaping through
unwanted gaps, then you are constantly losing money.
While airtight construction will drastically increase energy performance, it is important to note that it also
comes with additional costs. Airtight home construction requires skilled contractors and thoughtful
architectural design. These services come at a price, but the long term savings make the upfront costs
undeniably valuable.
Airtight homes also require mechanical ventilation systems to bring enough filtered fresh air into the home
and remove excessive moisture and CO2 from the interior. The value of the clean air provided by these systems
far outweighs the costs to install them.