Blame It On Your Crawl Space (Part 1)

Leaky doors and windows aren't the real problem, and your HVAC system isn't the most likely culprit.  In this 3-part series, Dr. Energy Saver and Woods Basement Systems examine 3 common crawl space problems that are increasing your discomfort, making your home stink, and robbing your wallet.

PROBLEM #1: Outside Air Intrusion

FACT: Outside air is no ally of your crawl space.  It's cold in the winter months, damp in wet weather, and hot and humid during the summer.

In the winter, cold air leaking into your crawl space causes uncomfortable drafts throughout your home, creates cold floors above, and renders your HVAC system, water heater, and hot water pipes inefficient.

Drafts & Cold Floors

Vented crawl spaces are essentially open windows beneath your home, allowing cold air to pour into your home in the winter and undermine your comfort.  Vents to the outside are just the beginning; cold outside air still leaks in underneath the sill plate, through gaps in the rim joist, openings around pipes and wires to the outside, and exterior access doors.  All of the above allow for uncomfortable drafts throughout your home, and cold air camping out in your crawl space creates cold floors in the rooms above.

Inefficient Heat

Cold winter air can wreck havoc on your HVAC system, water heater, and hot water pipers as well.  As cold air seeps into leaky joints and gaps in ductwork, it cools the hot air your system is trying to distribute and dumps more cold air into your cold air return—causing your HVAC system to run longer and more often so as to try to keep your home consistently warm.  The cold air surrounding your water heater and pipes also requires more energy to constantly provide you with hot water.

Thus, you're never truly comfortable, and you're spending countless dollars on unnecessary utility costs.

SOLUTION: Air Sealing & Insulation

Air sealing and insulating your crawl space is the first step to living more comfortably and efficiently without breaking the bank.  Here's how:

• Install crawl space vent covers to close those gaping holes in your foundation.
• Air seal the rim joist with spray foam to reduce air leaks and insulate your crawl space at the same time.
• Repair and seal leaky ductwork to allow your HVAC system to operate more efficiently.

In Blame It On Your Crawl Space (Part 2), Woods Basement Systems explains how mold and humidity in your crawl space are detrimental to your health and the structural integrity of your home.