A leaky house is considerably less energy efficient than a correctly sealed one. Knowing how to uncover air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when warranted can help you create a comfy living environment and reduce your energy bills.
Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home
Begin your air leak inspection on the inside of your home. Here are four successful methods for finding air leaks in your house:
- Conduct|Perform|Carry out]13] a comprehensive visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay extra attention to the corners of rooms, given that gaps can often be found there.
- Hold your hand close to potentially leaky areas on a cold or windy day. If you believe there is a draft, you’ve uncovered an air leak.
- Complete a smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it near the edges of windows, doors and other potential trouble spots. If an air leak is present, the smoke will blow around or get sucked into the gap, showing the site of the leak. The smoke test is most effective when done on a windy day.
- Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to identify temperature differences in the different areas of your home. These devices help you locate areas with major temperature variations, which often are caused by air leaks.
Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home
Inspecting the exterior structure can also uncover potential leaks. Here are two methods for detecting air leaks from the outside:
- Do a visual inspection, paying close attention to corners and places where different materials meet. Look for gaps or cracks that could create air leaks, as well as worn caulk or weatherstripping and improperly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
- Conduct the garden hose test on a chilly day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the exterior while another person stands inside where there is a suspected air leak. If there’s a leak, the person inside should feel cold air or moisture getting into through the gap.
Sealing Air Leaks
After finding serious air leaks, it’s time to deal with the issue. Here are the most effective methods for sealing air leaks in your home:
- Utilize caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is leaking out. Choose a top-quality, long-lasting caulk developed for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials in question to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for correct application and curing time.
- Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. Different kinds of weatherstripping are sold in stores, including adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Pick the ideal style for your needs and follow the installation recommendations.
- Use expanding foam to fill and seal more substantial gaps and holes. Expanding foam is sold in a can with a spray applicator for easy application in hard-to-reach places. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you stay safe.
- Add insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further cut down on heat transfer. Even if you already have some insulation, consider upgrading to a higher R-value or adding more insulation where it’s currently lacking.
- Install door sweeps along the bottom of external doors to stop drafts. Door sweeps are sold in various materials and designs to meet your needs and aesthetic preferences.
Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment
A home energy assessment is invaluable for spotting concealed air leaks and identifying areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor performs this inspection, which consists of the following:
- A blower door test involves installing a temporary door with a strong fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the indoor air pressure and drawing in outside air through unsealed openings. This test measures your home’s air tightness and makes thermal camera images show leaks more clearly.
- Infrared imaging helps the energy auditor locate temperature inconsistencies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing invisible air leaks and insulation gaps.
- A combustion safety test makes certain your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and correctly, lowering the risk of potentially dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
- A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor discusses your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort issues to identify additional energy-saving options.
Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment
While doing your own air leak tests is a good jumping off point, talking everything over with a professional is far more thorough. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you improve your home’s air tightness with a detailed home energy assessment and customized solutions to maximize efficiency and comfort.