Air Seal and Insulate Air sealing and insulation are the two
secrets that allow a thermos to keep hot things hot and cold
things cold. The insulated walls of a thermos create a barrier
between the contents inside and the air temperature outside,
interrupting the natural equilibrium of heat. The top of the
thermos has a rubber gasket and screws on to create a tight
seal. This prevents air flow, and thus rapid heat exchange via
air currents, to maintain the thermal barrier. Your house works
pretty much like a thermos. Insulation prevents heat loss (in
the winter) and heat gain (in the summer) through the walls and
ceilings, while air sealing prevents heat loss or gain through
air movement. Most people think of insulation only to keep out
the cold, but according to Nancy Kellogg, a certified energy
auditor with Lightly Treading, Inc., improving insulation and
air sealing is just as important for the cooling season. Kellogg
once got a call from a client who had recently tightened up her
home with insulation and a