Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is considerably less energy efficient than a correctly sealed one. Understanding how to detect air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when needed can help you create a comfortable living environment and lower your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

Begin your air leak inspection on the inside of your home. Here are four effective methods for locating air leaks in your house:

• Conduct|Perform|Carry out} a thorough visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks in and around windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay extra attention to the corners of rooms, given that gaps can often be found there.
• Put your hand close to potentially leaky areas on a cold or windy day. If you feel a draft, you’ve found an air leak.
• Do 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 trouble spots. If an air leak is present, the smoke will blow around or get sucked through the gap, showing the site of the leak. The smoke test is more effective when conducted on a windy day.
• Employ an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to identify temperature differences in your home. These devices help you identify sections of your home with major temperature variations, which often indicate air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Inspecting the home’s outdoor structure can also uncover potential leaks. Here are two methods for finding air leaks from the outside:

• Conduct a visual assessment, paying close attention to corners and locations where different materials meet. Look for gaps or cracks that could lead to air leaks, as well as worn caulk or weatherstripping and incorrectly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
• Conduct the garden hose test on a colder day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the outside of the house while another person stands inside close to a suspected air leak. If there’s a leak, the person inside really should feel cold air or moisture getting into through the gap.

Sealing Air Leaks

After pinpointing serious air leaks, it’s time to handle 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 escaping. Pick a top-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. Different kinds  of weatherstripping are on the market, examples include adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Select the proper style for your needs and follow the installation recommendations.
• Use expanding foam to fill and seal larger gaps and holes. Expanding foam is available in a can with a spray applicator for simple application in hard-to-reach places. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe use.
• Install insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further reduce 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.
• Put door sweeps along the bottom of external doors to prevent drafts. Door sweeps are available in various materials and styles to suit your needs and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is valuable for identifying sneaky air leaks and locating areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor does this inspection, which consists of the following:

• A blower door test involves putting in a temporary door with a strong fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the interior 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 detect temperature discrepancies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing unseen air leaks and insulation gaps.
• A combustion safety test makes sure your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and efficiently, lowering 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 obstacles to learn additional energy-saving options.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While carrying out your own air leak tests is a good jumping off 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 detailed home energy assessment and personalized solutions to maximize performance and comfort.