Reducing Air Infiltration in your HomeYou can reduce infiltration by simply closing holes and cracks where air can pass into or out of your home. Most air sealing can be easily done and it is worth doing to save energy and to improve comfort. In addition, check the insulation throughout the home to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.
What you should use in sealing these hidden air leaks depends on the size of the gaps and where they are located. For small cracks (about 1/4" wide), you can use an
Elastomeric Construction Sealant which can be used in many applications. It is a flexible cure sealant based on elastomers, such as silicone or urethane, that can withstand a high temperature change and can be used for dissimilar surfaces (like brick to siding).
Simple to correct, but often overlooked are the air leaks from the electrical wall outlets. A gasket can be easily installed behind the outlet cover. For a “double” benefit, you can install a
Sliding Safety Plate that helps prevent access to outlets and also has a special energy-efficient, insulating seal. This item is particularly good at preventing youngsters from touching the electrical outlets. Just replace the outlet cover with this safety plate.