Summer 2025 in Wisconsin has been one for the books, between scorching heat waves and unexpected air quality challenges from Canadian wildfire smoke.
While the smoky air has granted us some unusually pretty sunrises and sunsets, this season has also highlighted something we at RVI have always known: Proper air sealing isn’t just about energy savings! It’s about creating healthier, more comfortable living spaces.
As building science experts, we’ve watched with pride as our properly sealed and insulated homes provided safe havens during some of summer’s most challenging moments. This includes keeping the cool air in (thank goodness for ACs!) and keeping the unhealthy, smoky air out. This season has proven exactly why attention to detail in home construction matters.
Summer Comfort Done Right
When temperatures soar, there’s almost nothing better than walking into a perfectly cooled home. But true comfort shouldn’t cost a fortune. Proper air sealing and insulation work together to keep your air conditioning exactly where it belongs – inside your home. This means your AC works just as hard as it needs to, while maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the house.
Air sealing is your home’s “thermal envelope.” This term refers to the physical barrier that separates the interior living spaces from the external environment. When it’s properly sealed, your cooling system doesn’t have to fight against constant air leakage, which can account for 30% or more of a home’s heating and cooling costs. Plus, sealed homes eliminate those frustrating hot spots and temperature variations between rooms, creating consistent comfort throughout the entire house.
When Air Sealing Proved Critical
The Canadian wildfires disrupted life across Wisconsin this summer, forcing many families to retreat indoors during what should have been prime outdoor weather, due to serious air quality warnings. For several weeks, this hazardous air quality kept people from enjoying typical summer activities – no cookouts, no evening walks, no kids playing outside for extended periods.
This is when proper home air sealing really showed its value, giving homeowners peace of mind and a protected environment from the smoke outside! But the benefits go beyond smoke protection. A properly sealed home helps control humidity levels, reduces allergen infiltration, and prevents moisture-related issues that can lead to mold growth.
Growing Stronger With Our Building Community
Despite the challenges, this summer has been great for connecting with our Wisconsin building community. We’ve enjoyed meeting with Headwaters Builders Association (HBA) and Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) members, sharing experiences and insights about how our homes performed during these unique conditions.
These connections remind us why we are so passionate about building science and its real-world impact. Through these meetings, we’ve gathered valuable feedback about how air sealing performs during the heat waves and smoke events. This kind of real-world data helps us continuously refine our approaches and stay ahead of emerging challenges.
It’s also been encouraging to see more builders embracing advanced air sealing techniques as standard practice, recognizing that today’s homeowners expect better performance from their homes! Here’s a recent density testing example.
Building Better, Together
Looking ahead, we will continue sharing what we learn about home performance in all seasons. These real-world tests of our building practices confirm what building science has always told us: Attention to detail in air sealing and insulation pays dividends in comfort, health, and efficiency.
We’ve survived Summer 2025, where our homes faced real tests of their sealing protection, but these extreme weather events are not uncommon. Stay prepared and subscribe to our free email newsletter for more insights about building science, air sealing, and creating better homes for Wisconsin families.
