Crawl spaces are extremely common in the Minneapolis and St. Cloud areas, yet they often go ignored by homeowners who are looking to enhance home performance and energy efficiency. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the majority of “fresh air” that characterizes a home is brought in through tiny cracks, gaps and air leaks in the home envelope. The crawl space is one of the main sources of the issue of airflow in and out of the home and must be addressed in order to improve comfort and indoor air quality.

What is a Crawl Space?

If you’re unsure what a crawl space actually is, you’re not alone. In simple terms, a crawl space can be defined as an area underneath the floor or roof of the home that allows for access to wiring and plumbing. Crawl spaces are typically limited in height, hence their given name. While useful, every crawl space is subject to potential problems that can affect safety and home performance. These areas tend to be rife with insects, mold and other contaminants when left unsealed, which is why homeowners are generally discouraged from entering their crawl space without the help of a professional.

Clearly, your indoor air is at risk. RetroGreen Energy is here to help, and it all starts with sealing your crawl space.

Why Seal Your Crawl Space?

Your crawl space, if not properly maintained and sealed, can affect indoor air quality, it’s important to realize that airflow is causing airborne contaminants to move throughout the home and to enter your conditioned living spaces. According to the National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), Americans spend approximately 87% of their time indoors, making it all the more important to focus on improving indoor air quality in the home. High levels of moisture in the crawl space can also cause structural damage to occur, adding to the problem twofold.

At RetroGreen Energy, we believe that air sealing the crawl space of the home is the answer, as doing so will boost efficiency, lower your monthly energy bills and improve your indoor air quality. After all, there’s nothing more important than the health and safety of you and your family, and one of the most effective ways to mitigate risk is to start by focusing on the crawl space.