Are you frustrated by cold drafts that return no matter how high you turn up the heat?
Air sealing locates and eliminates hidden air leaks throughout your NEPA home, stopping drafts before they start, reducing energy waste, and improving indoor comfort year-round.
Homes throughout Northeast Pennsylvania contain dozens of hidden air leaks that waste energy daily. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, homes built before 1950—common in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre—consume 60% more energy per square foot than those built after 2000. Even new construction homes require professional air sealing, as settling foundations and complex rooflines often create immediate gaps in the home’s thermal envelope.
Residents of leaky homes often face uncomfortable drafts, temperature swings from room to room, unusually high heating bills, and constant HVAC cycling that never quite solves the problem.
Air sealing solves this by identifying every gap, crack, and penetration where conditioned air escapes. By sealing attics, basements, rim joists, electrical penetrations, and other leak points, expert air sealing stops airflow that insulation alone cannot address.
Whether your home has outdated construction details or simply years of settling that created gaps, air sealing delivers measurable improvements without replacing walls or windows.
How Expert Air Sealing Benefits NEPA Homeowners
- Lower Heating and Cooling Costs
- Eliminates Cold Drafts
- Consistent Room Temperatures
- Reduced HVAC Runtime
- Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Enhanced Insulation Performance
- Mold and Moisture Prevention
Hidden Air Leaks Waste Energy Even When Insulation Is Present
Insulation slows heat transfer through solid materials, but it does nothing to stop air leaks. When air flows freely through gaps and cracks, it carries heat with it—this is called heat convection.
Air leaks allow conditioned indoor air to escape and outdoor air to enter, forcing your HVAC system to run constantly just to maintain temperature.
The result is:
- Persistent drafts near windows, doors, outlets, and baseboards
- Cold floors above unheated basements or crawl spaces
- Rooms that never reach comfortable temperatures
- Furnace or AC running continuously
- Wasted energy dollars every month
- Moisture infiltration that can lead to mold
Common air leak locations in NEPA homes include attic hatches, recessed lighting, plumbing penetrations, electrical boxes, rim joists, and gaps around windows and doors.
Air sealing targets these specific leak points before adding or upgrading insulation, because sealing airflow first maximizes insulation effectiveness.
Expert Air Sealing Stops Drafts and Energy Loss Permanently
Air sealing is a targeted process that identifies and seals every significant air leak in your home using the right material for each location.
By creating an effective air barrier, air sealing prevents uncontrolled airflow, reduces energy waste, and eliminates the drafts that make NEPA winters uncomfortable.
This makes air sealing the most cost-effective energy upgrade available, often delivering 15-30% reductions in heating and cooling costs when combined with proper insulation.
In turn, homeowners can enjoy immediate benefits from investing in expert air sealing, including:
- Noticeable draft elimination in living spaces
- More stable indoor temperatures
- Lower monthly utility bills
- Improved HVAC efficiency and lifespan
- Better indoor air quality by controlling outdoor pollutants
Because air sealing targets specific leak points rather than replacing entire building systems, homeowners can achieve significant energy savings without major renovation projects.
Why NEPA Residents Trust EnergySmart for Air Sealing Services
- 4.7-Star Rated Local Company: Trusted by homeowners throughout Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, the Poconos, and surrounding Northeast Pennsylvania communities.
- Experience with Older Homes: Deep understanding of common air leak locations in homes built before modern energy codes.
- Comprehensive Leak Detection: Blower door testing and thermal imaging identify leaks invisible to the naked eye.
- Expert Material Selection: Strategic use of spray foam, caulk, weatherstripping, and rigid foam depending on leak location and size.
- Complete System Approach: Air sealing coordinated with insulation and ventilation improvements for maximum energy savings.
FAQs
What is air sealing?
Air sealing is the process of identifying and sealing gaps, cracks, and penetrations in your home’s building envelope that allow uncontrolled air movement. Expert air sealing uses materials such as spray foam, caulk, and weatherstripping to create an effective air barrier that prevents drafts and energy loss.
The process targets specific leak locations, including attic bypasses, rim joists, electrical penetrations, plumbing chases, recessed lighting, and gaps around windows and doors.
How is air sealing different from insulation?
Insulation slows heat conduction through solid materials. Air sealing stops heat convection by blocking airflow through gaps and cracks. Both are necessary because air leaks can carry away more heat than conduction alone, making even well-insulated homes uncomfortable and inefficient if air leaks remain unsealed.
Air sealing should always be completed before or during insulation upgrades because controlling airflow first makes insulation far more effective.
How do you find air leaks in my home?
EnergySmart uses blower door testing to measure total air leakage and create pressure differences that reveal hidden leaks. Thermal imaging cameras identify temperature differences caused by air movement. Our inspectors also perform visual inspections of common leak locations based on years of experience with NEPA homes.
This combination of diagnostic tools ensures no significant leak goes undetected.
Will air sealing make my home too tight?
No. Expert air sealing targets uncontrolled air leaks while maintaining proper ventilation for indoor air quality. Homes need controlled ventilation for fresh air, but they do not need random air leaks that waste energy. When necessary, controlled mechanical ventilation can be added to ensure healthy indoor air after air sealing is complete.
Can air sealing reduce moisture problems?
Yes. Air leaks often carry moisture into wall cavities, attics, and basements, where it can condense and cause mold or rot. By stopping uncontrolled airflow, air sealing reduces moisture infiltration and helps maintain consistent humidity levels throughout your home.
How much can I save with air sealing?
Savings vary based on home size, age, and existing air leakage. Most NEPA homeowners see 15-30% reductions in heating and cooling costs when air sealing is combined with proper insulation. Homes with severe air leakage can achieve even greater savings, and improved comfort is noticeable immediately.
What areas of my home need air sealing?
Common air leak locations include attic hatches and penetrations, recessed lighting, rim joists where walls meet foundations, gaps around windows and doors, electrical outlets and switches, plumbing and wiring penetrations, fireplace dampers, and basement or crawl space gaps. Every home is different, which is why diagnostic testing is critical for identifying all significant leaks.
