Valuable Hot Air in NoVA

According the National Association of Realtors, a typical Northern Virginia family wastes about $350 per year on air leaks – air we pay good money to either heat or cool depending upon the season. For just a fraction of that in costs, and no more than a weekend worth of labor, you can keep that air inside your home where it belongs with these simple tips.

Start at the top of your home – hot air rises – and work your way down. In the attic, insulate around recessed lights in your ceilings. Most of them vent right into the attic space creating a superhighway for your environmentally controlled air to flow out into space. Look for a label next to the bulb reading ICAT, for “insulation contact and air tight”. If you see that, you don’t need to worry. If not, you can purchase an airtight baffle that will fit inside the housing.

Polyurethane foam-in-a-can is great for filling gaps larger than 1/4" or so, such as those around plumbing pipes and vents. To get the most out of a can, squirt a bit of aerosol lubricant such as WD-40 into the applicator tube between uses to keep it clog-free. Use high-temperature caulk around any pipe or vent that gets hot, and silicone caulk for gaps smaller than 1/4".

Probably the simplest fix is installing weather stripping and door sweeps. Windows and doors tend to be big culprits, especially in older homes. Consider adhesive-backed EPDM rubber weather stripping. It’s easier to install than bronze weather stripping and is rated to last 10 years.

If you have a basement, spread a bead of caulk where the foundation meets the sill plate – the piece of wood in direct contact with the foundation. Spread another one along both the top and bottom edges of the rim joist – the piece that sits on top of the sill plate. Here again, if you find a gap larger than 1/4", use spray foam to fill it.

Even though our temperatures are cooling off, the real estate market continues to heat up. Inventories of homes for sale are increasing steadily, and there is no shortage of buyers. It’s a great time to make your move, and we’re ready to help. Give me a call on 703-442-0007 Ext 1, or send me an email at conor@jcadvantage.com. You’re also welcome to stop by the office at 8245 Boone Blvd., Suite 410 in Vienna. It’s a great season for real estate!