What impact do air barriers have on energy consumption in buildings?

Air barriers play a crucial role in enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. By creating a continuous barrier that prevents the movement of air, they significantly reduce air leakage. This reduction in air leakage minimizes unwanted heat transfer, leading to a more stable indoor climate and lowering the demand for heating and cooling systems.

When buildings are properly sealed with air barriers, the energy required to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures decreases, resulting in reduced energy consumption overall. This not only contributes to lower utility bills for occupants but also has a positive impact on the environment by decreasing the overall energy demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The options indicating that air barriers either increase energy consumption or have no effect do not consider the fundamental physics behind how air movement affects heating and cooling costs. Similarly, while it’s true that air barriers impact cooling costs, their influence extends to heating as well, underscoring their integral role in overall energy efficiency rather than being limited to just one type of cost.