Ideally, your home should last for years and require only routine maintenance. Caulk and weatherstripping doesn't cost much and for a single afternoon s work you can both save money and extend the life of your home. When this air exchange is controlled, we call it ventilation. However, a great deal of air exchange occurs in uncontrolled and invisible ways through hidden cracks and openings present in every house. This is called infiltration.
Infiltration occurs when wind blows cold air into the house and forces hot air out.
It also happens during the natural process of convection as warm air rises and escapes through cracks, causing cold air to be pulled into the lower portion of the house. This is known as the chimney effect. Consequently, cold air enters through any available openings to equalize that pressure. The First Step Infiltration causes drafts which contribute to heating and cooling expenses, discomfort and, in some cases, illness. Raising your thermostat will not stop cold drafts, but sealing hidden cracks and openings will.