A little preventive maintenance can mean big savings and increased comfort for homeowners anytime of the year. Air leakage accounts for up to 40% of energy lost from a home (Source: www.hud.gov)
 
Energy saving options that address air leakage tend to offer the quickest paybacks because they help control air leakage.

Sources of Air Leakage in a Home

Openings and penetrations in the floor and ceiling are often the primary sources of air leaks in a home. Ventilated attics and basements are pathways for outdoor air to flow in and indoor air to flow out. Other sources of air leakage can be:

• Doors and Windows
• Plumbing Penetrations
• Exhaust fans
• Ducts
• Electrical Service Boxes

Find and fix the leaks

There are a number of places that can be the source of an air leak. Homeowners are encouraged to pay particular attention to doors, windows and places where plumbing, ducting or electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors, ceilings and soffits over cabinets.

To test your home for leaks, hold a lit incense stick next to the windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and other suspected locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak. This is best done on a windy day.

As an all-in-one insulation and air barrier material, Icynene^® delivers energy savings of up to 50% and homeowners can begin seeing a return on their investment starting from their first energy bill.

Calculate energy savings with an insulation/ air barrier that minimizes air leakage better than conventional insulation.