“Over the years, cracks and gaps will develop in your home’s envelope, which will allow the conditioned air to escape during the warm months and the cold air to infiltrate during the cool months,” says Zack Dusenbury, Santee Cooper’s vice president of retail operations. “This contributes to higher utility bills, and it can also lead to mold and other serious problems.”

The first step in sealing your home’s envelope is to detect any leaks and drafts. EERE estimates about a third of the air that escapes in or out of your home comes through the floors, walls and ceilings. Other problem areas include ducts, doors, windows, plumbing penetrations, fireplaces, electric outlets, and fans and vents.

“Many drafts are easy to find because they’re easy to feel, especially around windows and doors,” Dusenbury says. “But the leaks in attics, crawl spaces and basements are typically harder to detect and treat.”

Once you’ve identified the leaks in your home’s envelope, use caulk, spray foam or weatherstripping to seal your home’s smaller cracks and leaks. Additional insulation may be required for attics, crawl spaces and basements. For these areas that are harder to diagnose, Santee Cooper offers online energy audits and, for customers, in-home audits by Santee Cooper Energy Advisors and low-interest loans and rebates as explained at www.ReduceTheUse.com.

For more information on sealing air leaks, visit EERE’s website at www.eere.energy.gov, and for a do-it-yourself guide to sealing and insulating, visit www.energystar.gov.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.