Air Sealing - Potential Reductions in Air Flow from 5 Locations

In a recent Blog Post by NAIMA (Insulation Institute) that detailed the 5 Priority Air Sealing Locations for New Homes, the authors cite studies that estimate the impact of air sealing various assemblies within the home.  These results show the impact of the Stack Effect, and how it drives recommendations from firms like Comfenergy to reduce these uncontrolled airflows in order to improve comfort within the home and energy efficiency as well.

Here are the results and the sources for each result:

1) Top Plate to Attic Drywall: Estimated to impact airflow by 1.6 exchanges at ACH50.   Source: Pg 3 of https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/airtight_drywall_approach.pdf

2) Recessed Light Fixtures to finished surface (drywall or other):  Estimated to impact airflow by 0.2 exchanges at ACH50.  Source: https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/air-sealing-recessed-light-fixtures-below-unconditioned-space#quicktabs-guides=1

3) Duct Boot to Finished Surface:  Estimated to impact airflo by 0.2 exchanges at ACH50. Source: https://buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-attic-air-sealing-guide/view

4)Band or Rim Joist (Top and Bottom):  Estimated to impact airflow by 0.4 exchanges at ACH50.  Source: https://buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/air-barriers-airtight-drywall-approach

5) Garage House to Common Wall:  Estimated to impact airflow by 0.2 exchanges at ACH50.  Source: Figure 7 https://buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0403-air-barriers/vie

If you need some help understanding how this research can help you in your home, call Comfenergy and a qualified Consultant will provide you with a free evaluation of your home that includes putting your home into ACH50 condition and the use of a thermal camera to show you the impact of these invisible air flows.  Call 1-800-604-2252 for an evaluation today!