The process of weatherizing a building, specifically focuses on the building envelope. The building envelope is the boundary of the house between the interior and exterior elements. This boundary includes building components such as structural members, insulation, and air and vapor barriers. Here in New England, we can sometimes have up to a 100 degree difference in temperature from inside to outside. As you can imagine, this can create some unique problems not typically found in other parts of the country.

After performing an energy audit, we are able to prioritize the areas that need improvement in the building envelope. This is important to customers on a budget. It also happens to be the most effective way to make home improvements. Often, the items at the top of the priority list are the easiest and most cost effective to repair.​

As previously mentioned, the building envelope contains structural members, insulation, and air and vapor barriers. It is usually easy to identify the condition or existence of structural members and insulation.​

Air and vapor barriers are more complex to determine. Air that is allowed to move freely through a building envelope can cause serious problems. Warm air that escapes from the interior of the building will take moisture with it, and in cold climates will condense on cold surfaces inside wall cavities. Eventually, this will lead to a breakdown in the envelope and cause problems such as rot or mold.​

As weatherization contractors, Prudent Living’s goal is to improve the overall energy efficiency of your home or business and also prevent future problems. In order to do so it is essential to complete an energy audit, first. This not only ensures an better and more efficient work process but also a makes certain that there are no life safety issues.