Colder days are just around the corner, which means you may start to notice drafts and cold air leakage in your home. Some of your home’s energy costs can occur because of these air leaks, which means that detecting and sealing them can save you money. Much of the leakage comes from around windows and doors, but some can be hidden in basements or attics.
How Do You Find Air Leaks in Your Home?
Windows, doors, and ductwork are the most common locations for leaks in a home. Here are a few things you can do:
- Check ductwork connections in the attic or basement and in a mechanical room. Most duct leaks can be fixed on your own by obtaining a few items from the hardware store.
- Feel around windows and doors for drafts. If you feel the air, it needs to be sealed, especially in these areas.
- Look for light coming in around the edges of windows or doors.
- Doors or windows that were not properly installed can have leakages. In this case, you should consult a professional.
- Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly throughout your home.
Here are some visual inspections you can perform on your own
- Outside the home, inspect:
- Exterior corners
- Water faucets (spigots)
- Places where siding and chimneys meet
- Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior materials meet
- Inside your home, look for cracks and gaps around:
- Electrical outlets
- Switchplates
- Door and window frames
- Electrical and gas service entrances
- Baseboards
- Weatherstripping
- Fireplace dampers
- Attic hatches
- Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners
- Vents or fans
How Do You Seal Air Leaks in Your Home?
- On ducts, you can seal joints with special aluminum tape, after confirming the connection is secure.
- For windows and doors, you can caulk the edges and/or add new weather strips to block the air.
- Consider new windows and doors.
- Have a complete energy assessment done every 10 or 15 years.
When leaks are not sealed, energy is wasted. The cost of sealing leaks is generally recovered within a few years. Weatherstripping and caulking also can protect your home from noise, pests, and nature. Hiring a professional, who can conduct a blower door test, is best when it comes to detecting air leaks.
For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in any home, employ a qualified technician to conduct an energy audit. A complete energy assessment can determine areas in a home that need more insulation. If you are interested in having an energy assessment performed on your home, contact Korrect Inc. at (937) 837-2333.
