Rockweiler Insulation: Seal off heat’s route of escape

Air Sealing leads to warmer, more comfortable home

Heat wants to leave a home. It rises, it moves, it does everything possible to escape. If the envelope of a building is not weatherized, heat will find a way to escape. As the mercury dips lower and lower during the fall and winter months, the best solution to beat the deep freeze is to open a window.

Wait a minute, that doesn’t make any sense, nobody would do that! Yet in an improperly insulated home, people do that all year long. Which is why the specialists at Rockweiler Insulation, recommend getting some of the common energy leaks checked out.

“Certain areas in a home allow heat to flow out,” says Renee Wilson, VP-Operations of Rockweiler Insulation. “People might equate turning up the thermostat as just a sign of the season, but many times it’s really a sign that insulation levels should be inspected. Insulation codes have changed and home attic levels should be at R-49, meaning 18-19 inches of insulation. Air sealing all the crevices is extremely important as 60% of all home air leaks are in the attic. These air leaks often add up to the same as having an open window. Heat rises, and will escape through attic air leaks, which means that most of the homes heating dollars are being lost. Air sealing is a process of closing these hidden gaps where air can pass in and out of the home.

With the evolution of building science, we now know more about how loss of conditioned air impacts energy efficiency of a home. The smallest of gaps can chill a house to its metaphorical bones, even with the thermostat turned up. Improper weatherization also makes heating systems work harder and have less success.

Rockweiler Insulation cites the following key areas for allowing air to seep out. These leaks are common in households both old and new. If properly air sealed and insulated though, they act like a blanket and keep the house at a comfortable temperature level all year long.

Top Five Home Air Leaks
– Ceiling light fixtures
-Plumbing penetrations
-Ceiling fans
-Skylights
-Attic access openings

“These are the prime trouble spots,” says Wilson, “and getting them fixed is one of the easiest ways to make a home more energy efficient and comfortable.” With air sealing, all of these crevices are sealed off. Not only does this prevent warm air from escaping, it also aids with the moisture control and overall comfort of a home. More information can be found at http://www.rockweilerinsulation.com.

About Rockweiler Insulation

Rockweiler Insulation was founded by Gary Rockweiler in 1983 with one truck. The family owned company has since grown to 15 employees and 10 trucks. Rockweiler Insulation is an A+ rated business by the Better Business Bureau, and is a 2010 recipient of the Super Service Award from Angie’s List. Rockweiler Insulation is the recipient of a 2011 Wisconsin Family Business Award, and a 2011 Dane County Small Business Award.