Aerosol Envelope Sealing of Existing Residences: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

This report explores the best methods for aerosol envelope sealing of unoccupied, existing residences and documents typical leakage reductions. The project consisted of three distinct efforts: (1) scaled field demonstrations of the sealing process, tracking from setup to sealing and cleanup, (2) laboratory testing of new sealants that dry clear, making them more appropriate for retrofit applications, and (3) BEopt (Building Energy Optimization Tool) modeling of the energy implications of the measured reductions in leakage. Overall, aerosol sealing performance in existing homes was effective, with an average leakage reduction of 47% across all 34 sites. Conventional approaches typically only produce leakage reductions of 25%-30%. The aerosol sealing technology could provide a process for existing homes and multifamily units to gain the benefits of a well-sealed home at a reasonable cost with minimal disruption.