Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is considerably less energy efficient than a tightly sealed one. Understanding how to find air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when needed can help you establish a comfortable 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 reliable techniques for finding air leaks in your house:

• Conduct|Perform|Carry out} a detailed visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks on or near windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay special attention to the corners of rooms, because gaps can frequently be found there.
• Hold your hand close to potentially leaky places on a cold or windy day. If you sense a draft, you’ve uncovered an air leak.
• Perform the smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it near the edges of windows, doors and other potential problem areas. If an air leak is present, the smoke will blow around or get sucked toward the gap, showing the site of the leak. The smoke test is most effective when performed on a windy day.
• Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to find temperature differences around your home. This equipment will help you detect areas with sizeable 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 strategies for finding air leaks from the outside:

• Perform a visual examination, paying close attention to corners and areas where different materials meet. Hunt for gaps or cracks that could create air leaks, as well as worn caulk or weatherstripping and incorrectly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
• Do the garden hose test on a cool day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the exterior while another person stands inside near 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 major air leaks, it’s time to deal with the issue. Here are the best ways to sealing air leaks in your home:

• Apply caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is leaking out. Select a quality, long-lasting caulk developed for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you’re using 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. Various types  of weatherstripping are on the market, including adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Choose the correct style for your needs and follow the installation guidelines.
• Use expanding foam to fill and seal larger gaps and holes. Expanding foam is sold in a can with a spray applicator for easy application in hard-to-reach spots. Wear protective gloves and follow the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you stay safe.
• Add 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 it’s currently lacking.
• Add door sweeps along the bottom of external doors to restrict drafts. Door sweeps are made in various materials and styles to fit your requirements and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is valuable for identifying hidden air leaks and pinpointing areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor performs this inspection, which involves the following:

• A blower door test entails installing a temporary door with a sturdy fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air away from the house, lowering the indoor air pressure and sucking 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 identify 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 effectively, reducing the risk of potentially harmful carbon monoxide buildup.
• A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor looks at your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort obstacles to learn additional energy-saving opportunities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While carrying out your own air leak tests is an excellent 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 comprehensive home energy assessment and personalized solutions to boost effectiveness and comfort.