Counter Stack Effect

A home can have hundreds of exit points that allow air to escape. The US Department of Energy broke down the most common areas that air leakage occurs: ceilings, walls, floors, ducts, floors, doors, windows, fans, vents, electrical outlets and plumbing points of entrance.

Signs that you could be experience the stack effect in your home:

• Cold Drafts (especially around exterior walls, outlets and windows)
• Cold Surface of Flooring above Basement
• Attic Fiberglass Insulation
• Discoloration Decrease in Heating Efficiency
• Increase in Heating Costs Air Sealing Your Home

Properly sealing your home to prevent escaping heated air can cut your heating costs significantly. Older homes are particularly vulnerable to the stack effect due to the aging foundations, doors and windows. Outdated electrical switches/ outlets and recessed lighting fixtures are another culprit of escaping air. Hire a professional electrician to update your electrical outlets and fixtures to reduce leaking air and save money on heating costs!

Attic air sealing and insulation upgrade can dramatically reduce the flow of escaping warm air. Adding weather stripping to doors and windows. Check the fireplace, floorboards and baseboards for gaps, cracks and holes, sealing these will keep warm air in and costs down.