Air Sealing 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How TVA EnergyRight® Helps

If your home feels drafty, struggles to stay comfortable throughout the year, or comes with higher-than-expected energy bills, the problem may not be your HVAC system—it could be air leakage. Air sealing is one of the most effective and often overlooked ways to improve energy efficiency. Even better, when completed through the TVA EnergyRight® program, air sealing may qualify for rebates that help offset the cost of these upgrades.

Understanding how air sealing works, and why it matters, can help you make smarter decisions about your home’s comfort and performance.

What Is Air Sealing?

Air sealing is the process of identifying and closing gaps, cracks, and openings in a home where conditioned air escapes and outside air enters. These leaks allow heated or cooled air to move out of your home while letting in unfiltered outdoor air, humidity, and pollutants.

Common problem areas include:

• Attics and attic access points
• Crawl spaces and rim joists
• Around windows, doors, and baseboards
• Plumbing and electrical penetrations
• Ductwork connections and top plates

By sealing these areas with professional materials and techniques, air sealing creates a tighter building envelope. This helps your home maintain stable indoor temperatures while reducing unnecessary energy loss.

Why Air Sealing Is So Important

Even small air leaks can have a major impact on your home’s efficiency over time. In Middle Tennessee’s climate—where hot, humid summers and cooler winters are common—uncontrolled airflow forces heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary.

Professional air sealing provides several key benefits, including:

• Lower energy bills by minimizing heating and cooling losses
• Improved indoor comfort with fewer drafts and temperature swings
• Better indoor air quality by reducing dust, pollen, and outdoor pollutants
• Improved moisture control, which helps reduce mold and mildew risks
• Reduced strain on HVAC equipment, potentially extending system lifespan

When paired with proper insulation, air sealing becomes one of the most effective ways to improve overall home performance.

Air Sealing and Insulation: A Powerful Combination

While insulation slows heat transfer, air sealing stops uncontrolled airflow. Without air sealing, even high-quality insulation can underperform. That’s why air sealing is often recommended before or alongside insulation upgrades.

Together, these improvements help ensure your home stays comfortable, efficient, and protected year-round.

How Air Sealing Fits Into TVA EnergyRight®

TVA EnergyRight® is a program designed to help homeowners reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, and improve home efficiency. Air sealing plays a central role in this program because it directly addresses one of the biggest sources of energy waste.

As a member of the TVA EnergyRight Quality Contractor Network, Complete Insulation is approved to perform air sealing and insulation upgrades that qualify for rebates. This designation means all work must meet strict quality and performance standards established by TVA, giving homeowners confidence that their improvements are done right.

How the TVA EnergyRight® Rebate Process Works

One of the biggest advantages of working with a Quality Contractor Network company is how simple the rebate process is for homeowners. Complete Insulation helps guide you every step of the way:

1. Schedule an initial home assessment to identify air leaks and efficiency issues
2. Complete professional air sealing and insulation upgrades designed to improve energy performance
3. Rebate documentation is submitted on your behalf after the project is finished
4. Receive a redemption code by email to claim your TVA EnergyRight® rebate

Rebates are typically processed within four to six weeks and can often be combined with federal energy tax credits for even greater savings.

More Than Just Energy Savings

TVA EnergyRight® rebates don’t just reduce upfront costs—they support long-term benefits. By lowering energy consumption, air sealing helps:

• Reduce your home’s carbon footprint
• Improve year-round comfort and consistency
• Make energy-efficient upgrades more accessible and affordable

These improvements don’t just benefit your utility bills—they help create a healthier, more sustainable home.

Take the First Step Toward a More Efficient Home

Air sealing is one of the smartest ways to improve comfort, control energy costs, and take advantage of available rebates. If you’re ready to learn how air sealing and insulation upgrades can benefit your home, contact Complete Insulation today. Our experienced team will guide you through the TVA EnergyRight® process and help you maximize savings while improving your home’s performance.