What Homeowners Need to Know About Stack Effect
Energy costs are a concern for every homeowner, especially during the colder months. The warm summer months and the harsh winter months typically lead to higher energy bills due to heating and cooling expenses. If you want to lower these expenses, energy conservation is a great place to start. However, only so much can be done if your house suffers from the stack effect.
Understanding the Stack Effect
From chimneys to windows to crawl spaces, it’s a fact that no house is a truly closed system. Outside air can slip through any of these access points and change the internal air temperature and quality. When the house begins to get too cold, you adjust the thermostat to kick on the heater. This leads to the unwanted stack effect.
We all know that heat rises. The hot air within your home will rise to the upper levels and escape through gaps in the attic, windows, and/or floorboards. Without this upward air, a vacuum is created that pulls in heavier, colder air through the leaks in the basement, crawl space, and/or ground-level windows.
As long as the temperature within the home continues to change, this cycle of air will continue. Also, it doesn’t just happen during the winter.
In the warmer summer months, you may turn down your thermostat to kick on the HVAC. This creates heavier, colder air that sinks to the bottom of your home looking for a way out. A vacuum in the upper regions of your house will then pull hot air through the attic and windows when the cold air leaves through the crawl space.
To summarize, the stack effect can occur during any time of year. The only thing that changes is the direction of the air flow.
Consequences of the Stack Effect
If left untreated, the stack effect can make it costly and nearly impossible to regulate the temperature within your home. This means that you will spend plenty of time messing with your thermostat with nothing to show for it.
While your heating and/or cooling systems work overtime, it will be pumping out air into your home without making a significant change. This can lead to increased wear & tear on your heating and cooling systems while also costing you extra in energy costs.
The stack effect can also lead to health concerns, especially if your crawl space is experiencing moisture related issues such as mold or mildew. As the air from your crawl spaces circulates within your home, it can spread mold and mildew spores. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mold spores can cause fungal infections, especially in those with suppressed immune systems or a history of lung problems.
While not an ideal solution, a crawl space clean out can help reduce the allergens and spores present in your home.
Where Do I Go From Here?
At Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement, we are proud to offer a 22-Point Evaluation evaluating the conditions of each component of your crawlspace. This includes reporting on your floor and pipe insulation, the dryer vent, moisture readings to ensure you are not at risk for mold and termite activity, air leaks, foundation cracks, and much more.
In addition to the crawl space, we also perform services in the attic and basement. Our skilled technicians are ready to help make sure that your home is ready to endure the rest of winter and in anticipation of summer. Call us today to learn how we can help protect your home and make it as comfortable as possible for you and your family!