For homeowners in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the battle for a comfortable and energy-efficient home is largely a battle against air leakage. The region’s hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters mean that any uncontrolled air exchange with the outdoors leads to high energy bills, poor comfort, and moisture problems. While adding insulation is a well-known solution, the real key to maximizing these benefits lies in the quality of the air sealing. Professional air sealing installation in Hot Springs, AR is crucial because it requires a deep understanding of building science to identify and properly seal the hundreds of hidden gaps and cracks in a home’s structure. A DIY approach with a can of spray foam and a caulk gun can’t compare to the comprehensive, systematic method used by trained professionals, which is the only way to create a truly effective and durable air barrier.
An incomplete or improper air sealing job will fail to deliver the promised energy savings and may even trap moisture, creating new problems. This article, with practical insights from building performance experts, will explain why the expertise and specialized tools of a professional are essential for truly transforming a home’s performance.
The Science of a Leaky Home
The average home has a combined total of cracks and gaps that are equivalent to leaving a medium-sized window open 24/7. This leakage isn’t just happening around your windows and doors; it’s occurring in dozens of hidden places throughout the home’s “building envelope”:
- Where the foundation meets the wood framing (the rim joist).
- Around any penetration for plumbing, wiring, and ductwork.
- Behind bathtubs and knee walls.
- At the top of interior walls where they meet the attic.
- Around recessed light fixtures and attic access hatches.
These leaks create a constant, uncontrolled flow of air. In the summer, hot, humid air is pulled into the home, forcing the air conditioner to work overtime. In the winter, warm, moist air escapes into the attic, which can lead to condensation and mold. According to ENERGY STAR, a homeowner can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs simply by properly air sealing and insulating their home.
The Professional Advantage: A Systematic Approach
A professional building performance contractor doesn’t just guess where the leaks are; they use a data-driven, systematic approach to find and fix them.
Step 1: The Diagnostic Blower Door Test
The process starts with a home energy audit, the centerpiece of which is the blower door test. A powerful, calibrated fan is mounted in an exterior doorway to depressurize the house. This makes it easy to feel and find all the hidden air leaks. The test also provides a precise measurement of the home’s total air leakage rate, known as Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50). This gives the homeowner a clear baseline and a way to measure the improvement after the work is done.
Step 2: A Comprehensive Sealing Strategy
Armed with this data, a professional crew will then execute a comprehensive air sealing plan. They use a variety of specialized materials, each chosen for a specific type of leak.
- Two-part spray foam is used to seal large, irregular gaps, like those around plumbing stacks or at the top of walls.
- Caulk is used for smaller cracks and seams in stationary components.
- Rigid foam board and sealant are used to cover large openings, like attic knee walls.
This multi-material approach is far more effective and durable than simply trying to fill every gap with a can of expanding foam from the hardware store.
[Image: A professional energy auditor using a smoke pencil in conjunction with a blower door test to pinpoint the exact location of a significant air leak around a window frame.]
Why a DIY Approach Falls Short
While a homeowner can and should tackle basic air sealing tasks like caulking windows, a full-scale air sealing project is a complex job that is often beyond the scope of a typical DIYer.
| Task | Professional Approach | Common DIY Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Leak Identification | Uses a blower door for a complete diagnosis. | Relies on guesswork and visible cracks. |
| Material Selection | Uses a range of professional-grade materials. | Over-relies on canned spray foam, which is not durable for large gaps. |
| Attic Sealing | Knows to seal hidden bypasses at the top of walls. | Only seals obvious holes, missing major leak points. |
| Safety | Understands combustion safety and ventilation needs. | May overtighten a house with gas appliances, creating a backdraft risk. |
| Final Verification | Performs a post-work blower door test to verify results. | Has no way to measure the actual improvement. |
The most significant risk of a poor DIY job is creating a moisture problem. If you seal the building envelope in the wrong places without understanding how air and moisture move, you can inadvertently trap moisture inside your walls or attic, leading to mold and rot.
Bonus Tip: The attic is the most important place to air seal. Sealing the “lid” of the house prevents the stack effect, which is the primary driver of air leakage throughout the entire home. A professional knows that this means more than just sealing holes in the attic floor; it means sealing the tops of every interior wall.
The Critical Role of Ventilation
A key part of a professional air sealing job is understanding the “house as a system.” When you make a house significantly more airtight, you also have to ensure it has a source of fresh, healthy air. A professional contractor will be able to calculate the home’s ventilation needs and advise on whether a mechanical ventilation system, like an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), is necessary. This is a critical step that ensures the home is not only efficient but also healthy.
Bonus Tip: In the humid climate of Hot Springs, an ERV is particularly beneficial. It provides a constant supply of fresh, filtered air while also transferring moisture from the incoming humid air to the outgoing stale air, which reduces the load on your air conditioner.
[Image: A clean, professionally air-sealed attic floor, showing foam sealant around all wires, pipes, and the tops of the walls, before new insulation is installed.]
Key Factors to Consider for Your Project
- Insulation and Air Sealing Go Hand-in-Hand: Air sealing should always be done before new insulation is installed. It’s much easier and more effective to seal the leaks when the cavities are empty. If you are getting new insulation, make sure professional air sealing is part of the contract.
- Combustion Safety is a Priority: If you have any fuel-burning appliances, such as a gas furnace, water heater, or fireplace, it is absolutely essential to perform a combustion safety test after air sealing. A professional contractor will know how to do this to ensure that these appliances are not at risk of backdrafting harmful gases like carbon monoxide into your home.
- Hire a Certified Professional: Look for contractors who are certified by a recognized organization like the Building Performance Institute (BPI). This certification is a sign that they have been trained in the principles of building science and the house-as-a-system approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is professional air sealing expensive?
The cost will depend on the size and condition of your home. However, it is one of the most cost-effective home performance upgrades you can make. The money saved on energy bills often provides a very quick return on the investment.
Can’t I just use spray foam insulation to air seal?
Yes, spray foam insulation is an excellent all-in-one air sealing and insulating product. When a professional installs spray foam, they are performing a comprehensive air sealing job at the same time they are insulating. This is one of the reasons it is such a high-performance system.
How long does a professional air sealing job take?
For a typical home, a thorough air sealing job in the attic and basement or crawl space can usually be completed in one day.
How much can I really save?
While every home is different, a comprehensive air sealing project, especially when combined with an insulation upgrade, can realistically reduce your heating and cooling costs by 20% to 40%.
The Foundation of Home Performance
Achieving maximum comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality in your Hot Springs home starts with controlling the flow of air. Professional air sealing is the crucial first step that makes all other energy efficiency measures, especially insulation, work to their full potential. It is a detailed, science-based process that provides a durable, long-lasting solution to the problems of a leaky, inefficient home.
Get a Professional Home Performance Audit
The only way to truly understand your home’s air leakage problem is to have it measured by a professional. An expert can conduct a comprehensive home performance audit, including a blower door test, to give you a clear, data-driven plan for making your home more comfortable and efficient.
The team at LMC Insulation specializes in the house-as-a-system approach, combining expert air sealing with high-performance insulation solutions. They have the training and tools to maximize the benefits for your home. To schedule a professional energy audit and consultation, they can be reached at (479) 351-6175 or by email at [email protected].
Author: The content team at LMC Insulation authored this article, drawing on years of collective experience as BPI Certified Professionals in the Hot Springs area. Our expertise lies in applying building science principles to create more comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient homes for our neighbors in Arkansas.
Technical Reviewer: This article was reviewed for technical accuracy by the LMC Insulation leadership team, ensuring that all recommendations align with the latest Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards and best practices for the Hot Springs climate zone.