Air infiltration can account for 30 percent or more of a home's heating and cooling costs and contribute to problems with moisture, noise, dust, and the entry of pollutants, insects, and rodents. Reducing infiltration can significantly cut annual heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment. The size of heating and cooling equipment can also be decreased, which saves additional dollars. Reducing air leakage in new homes, as required by the 1995 Model Energy Code (see page 4), typically costs less than $200 for the average home and does not require specialized labor.

* Estimated 12 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal pressure difference

** Estimated 6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal pressure difference