Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is dramatically less energy efficient than a tightly sealed one. Knowing how to uncover air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when necessary can help you maintain a cozy living environment and decrease your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

Initiate your air leak inspection on the inside. Here are four successful ways for looking for air leaks in your house:

• Carry out a thorough visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay particular attention to the corners of rooms, as gaps can commonly be found there.
• Hold your hand around potentially leaky places on a cold or windy day. If you believe there is a draft, you’ve discovered an air leak.
• Do a smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it around the edges of windows, doors and other potential problem areas. If an air leak exists, the smoke will blow around or get sucked into the gap, showing the location of a leak. The smoke test is more effective when performed on a windy day.
• Use an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to find temperature differences around your home. This equipment will help you identify areas with sizeable temperature variations, which often signify air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Examining the outer structure can also expose potential leaks. Here are two methods for detecting air leaks from the outside:

• Do a visual examination, paying close attention to corners and areas where different materials meet. Look for gaps or cracks that could lead to air leaks, as well as damaged caulk or weatherstripping and incorrectly 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 building’s 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 address the issue. Here are the best strategies for sealing air leaks in your home:

• Use caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is escaping. Select 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 directions for proper application and curing time.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. Different kinds  of weatherstripping are available, including adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Select the correct 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 areas. Wear protective gloves and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you stay safe.
• Add insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further cut down on 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 outside doors to stop drafts. Door sweeps are offered 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 hidden air leaks and locating areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor performs this inspection, which includes 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 away from the house, lowering the indoor air pressure and pulling 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 discrepancies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing invisible air leaks and insulation deficiencies.
• A combustion safety test makes sure your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and correctly, 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 learn additional energy-saving options.

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 & Plumbing can help you improve your home’s air tightness with a comprehensive home energy assessment and customized solutions to enhance performance and comfort.