A leaky house is significantly less energy efficient than a properly 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 comfortable living environment and lower your energy bills.
Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home
Start your air leak inspection on the inside of your home. Here are four successful methods for locating 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 frequently be found there.
- Put your hand around potentially leaky places on a cold or windy day. If you sense a draft, you’ve discovered an air leak.
- Complete a smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it all around the edges of windows, doors and other potential problem areas. If an air leak exists, the smoke will blow around or get sucked through the gap, revealing the location of a leak. The smoke test is most effective when carried out on a windy day.
- Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to find temperature differences in the different areas of your home. This equipment will help you locate rooms with significant temperature variations, which often indicate air leaks.
Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home
Studying the home's outdoor structure can also uncover potential leaks. Here are two methods for discovering air leaks from the outside:
- Do a visual examination, paying close attention to corners and locations where different materials meet. Search for gaps or cracks that could cause air leaks, as well as damaged caulk or weatherstripping and poorly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
- Do the garden hose test on a chilly day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the outside of the house 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 entering through the gap.
Sealing Air Leaks
After finding significant air leaks, it’s time to handle the issue. Here are the most effective methods for sealing air leaks in your home:
- Use caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is getting out of the home. Choose a top-quality, long-lasting caulk made for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you're using to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s details for proper application and curing time.
- Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. Different kinds of weatherstripping are sold in stores, such as adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Select the appropriate style for your needs and follow the installation instructions.
- Use expanding foam to fill and seal larger gaps and holes. Expanding foam is available in a can with a spray applicator for easy application in hard-to-reach spots. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure you stay safe.
- Install insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further minimize heat transfer. Whether or not you already have some insulation, consider upgrading to a higher R-value or adding more insulation where your current level is inadequate.
- Install door sweeps along the bottom of outside doors to stop drafts. Door sweeps are available 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 identifying 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 sturdy 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 easier to read.
- Infrared imaging helps the energy auditor detect temperature discrepancies 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 effectively, reducing the risk of potentially deadly carbon monoxide buildup.
- A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor discusses your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort challenges to identify additional energy-saving opportunities.
Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment
While carrying out your own air leak tests is a good launching point, partnering with a professional is far more thorough. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you improve your home’s air tightness with a comprehensive home energy assessment and tailored solutions to enhance effectiveness and comfort.