Creating an energy-efficient, comfortable home involves more than just upgrading your HVAC system. Two of the most effective improvements you can make are insulation and air sealing, especially when they’re done together. While each plays a different role, they work best in tandem, improving comfort, lowering energy bills, and extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment.
If you’re searching for an air sealing contractor or insulation installers, here’s why you should consider addressing both at once, and how ARC Insulation makes it easy for Chicagoland homeowners.
What’s the Difference Between Insulation and Air Sealing?
Though they’re often talked about together, insulation and air sealing solve different problems:
- Insulation slows the transfer of heat through building materials, helping your home stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It’s installed in attics, walls, floors, and crawl spaces to form a thermal barrier.
- Air sealing blocks air leaks and gaps around windows, doors, plumbing penetrations, attic hatches, and more. These leaks let conditioned air escape and outside air sneak in.
When combined, they create a tight, efficient thermal envelope that keeps your home comfortable and affordable to heat and cool year-round.
The Benefits of Combining Insulation and Air Sealing
Upgrading both insulation and air sealing at the same time offers several benefits you simply can’t get from one service alone:
- Better year-round comfort: Say goodbye to hot upstairs rooms, chilly basements, and drafty hallways.
- Lower energy bills: Less heat loss in winter and less heat gain in summer means your HVAC system runs less often.
- Improved indoor air quality: Sealing air leaks keeps out pollen, dust, humidity, and outdoor pollutants.
- Longer HVAC lifespan: Reduced strain on your furnace and AC leads to fewer repairs and a longer life.
- Smaller carbon footprint: You’ll use less energy and lower your home’s environmental impact.
ARC Insulation brings decades of experience in both insulation and air sealing, so you don’t have to coordinate multiple companies and contractors.
Why DIY Often Doesn’t Cut It
Even the best insulation materials lose their effectiveness if air is leaking through gaps and cracks. And air sealing done without professional diagnostic tools like blower doors and infrared imaging will miss hidden trouble spots.
At ARC Insulation, we utilize a method and product called AeroBarrier, which uses negative pressure in your home to locate and permanently seal even the smallest of leaks. This lets us customize a plan that ensures you get the maximum return on your investment.
Schedule Your Free Energy Assessment
Whether you’re battling rising utility bills, uncomfortable rooms, or just want to future-proof your home, ARC Insulation is here to help. As leading air sealing contractors and insulation installers in Chicagoland, we’ll make sure your home performs at its best.
