Our sister company, Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, delivers energy savings for the life of your building, approaching each project determined to earn your business and do the job right. By following the latest and best industry practices, these two companies are able to provide you with superior solutions.
We know that making improvements to your building is a long-term investment. Energy costs are typically among the top three expenses for any building. Accurate-Airtight Enclosures will help you lower the ongoing operating costs of your Midwest building by diagnosing the problem and developing a plan to reduce energy usage and provide a more comfortable environment for your employees.
Then, our sister company will be standing by for the commercial air sealing and air barrier repair services we recommend. Here’s everything you need to know about why you should invest in this building envelope improvement.
Who Should Be Interested in Commercial Air Sealing in WI?
Everyone who is paying energy bills should be acquainted with what a building’s air barrier does and why it is important. It does not matter the type of building or the year it was built. Without an air barrier, commercial air seal testing, and quality assurance in the building process, there is likely leakage that is wasting energy.
If you are not paying for our services, you are paying for the energy lost through the hidden gaps, cracks, and holes that let the energy leak away. The energy used to condition the building interior is contained largely in the air. Without a proper air barrier and quality commercial insulation, that energy can move easily between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. This movement can be between interior or exterior spaces, and it will take the expense and use of the energy away from where it will be most useful.
Is Energy the Only Reason to Need a Commercial Air Barrier?
Other than energy loss, a faulty air barrier can have a significant effect on the building and occupants. Some of the issues that can be caused are:
- Humidity-Related Damage: A poorly sealed building allows humid outdoor air to enter the building. This can cause issues with mold growth or structural damage.
- Discomfort of Occupants: Your employees, customers, and/or tenants should feel comfortable in your building. Without air sealing, they’ll experience drafts, inconsistent temperatures, cold floors, and high humidity.
- Air Contamination: Cracks and gaps in your building structure can allow outdoor air to contaminate your building. It can also allow air transfer between office spaces and industrial areas within your building.
- Ice Dams: Ice dams are more likely to form on your roof when air can escape. This can cause internal water leaks or extensive roofing damage.
What Does Air Barrier Repair Look Like?
In order to control air infiltration in buildings, an air barrier system needs to be defined and detailed. Between the Accurate-Airtight Exteriors and Enclosures teams, we target the air leaks in your building enclosure and seal them with a variety of industry-approved materials that prevent the free flow of air and energy from moving in and out of a building.
Each job starts with a baseline test of your building’s air barrier. Using commercial blower door testing, we pressurize and/or depressurize your building to quantify the amount of air and energy being lost. We then repair the air barrier to reduce the amount of air infiltration. Depending on the specific needs of your building, we use various building materials to improve your air barrier. Finally, we complete the project with another air barrier test to validate the change. Watch our video here to learn more.
Start Today With Our Building Envelope Consulting Services
Your building should be as tightly sealed as possible to ensure optimal performance. By investing in our air leakage rate tests and air barrier repair services, you’ll notice a dramatic difference in energy efficiency.
As trusted commercial and residential building envelope consultants across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, we’re here to help all types of buildings. We have over 75 years of combined experience, are licensed and insured, and have been operating in the Midwest since 1998. We’re commercial building owners’ trusted experts in energy efficiency and envelope improvements.
Looking to work with the Midwest experts in commercial air sealing and barrier repair? Get in touch with our Accurate-Airtight team. Call us at 866.582.4320 today to get started.
FAQs
What are some commercial building air sealing benefits?
It is good for you, your building, and the environment. You will reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bills. Your building will be more comfortable and durable, with a reduction in both drafts and cold rooms, all while increasing the value of your building. You will also be putting less carbon dioxide into the air from the energy you need to heat or cool your building, reducing your carbon footprint.
What is air sealing?
Air sealing is the work of filling hidden gaps, cracks, and holes in the air barrier between the interior and exterior of your building.
Should I insulate my building before air sealing it?
Most insulation is only a heat or cold barrier and doesn’t block the flow of air. You spend a lot of money to heat and cool your building, but holes in the air barrier let this treated air escape, no matter how much insulation you have. Air sealing will increase the integrity of the air barrier in your building, keeping more of your heated or conditioned air where you want it, all for less than the cost of insulating.
How does air sealing save me money?
You cut your expenses by controlling air leakage and unintended air loss. When you repair the hidden gaps, cracks, and holes in your building’s air barrier, you prevent the conditioned air that you have spent money on cooling or heating from leaving. Our sister company, Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, can repair your air leaks for a more airtight and energy-efficient building.
Along with minimizing leakage, the air pressure within the building will also be controlled, and your HVAC system will perform more efficiently. The occupants of your building will be happier and more comfortable as they enjoy good indoor air quality. The air barrier system will also control concentrated condensation, which can lead to mold, corrosion, and rot. Air barriers improve and promote durability and sustainability.
How much does it cost to get my building air sealed?
That depends a good deal on your building. The cost schedule is based on either the size of your building or the decrease in the cubic feet per minute of air infiltration we are able to reduce from our services, whichever is less.
We always quote the cost based on the size. The cost defined by the building size is based on a variety of conditions, including the square footage of conditioned space, the building footprint, and the height of the building. Please reach out to discuss your building and to receive a free estimate.
What’s your service area?
Accurate-Airtight Enclosures provides consulting services throughout the entire United States. Our sister company, Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, provides air barrier repair work in a 250-mile radius of Madison, Wisconsin, and commonly serves commercial buildings in cities like Chicago, Dubuque, Madison, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and more.
