Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is significantly less energy efficient than a properly sealed one. Knowing how to find air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when necessary can help you create a comfortable living environment and decrease your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

Begin your air leak inspection on the inside. Here are four successful techniques for finding air leaks in your house:

• Carry out a comprehensive visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks on or near windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay particular attention to the corners of rooms, as gaps can often be found there.
• Put your hand close to potentially leaky locations on a cold or windy day. If you feel a draft, you’ve discovered an air leak.
• Complete a smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it near the edges of windows, doors and other potential leaky areas. If an air leak exists, the smoke will blow around or get sucked into the gap, exposing the site of the leak. The smoke test is most effective when done on a windy day.
• Use an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to detect temperature differences in your home. This equipment will help you locate locations with sizeable temperature variations, which often indicate air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Studying the outer structure can also uncover potential leaks. Here are two strategies for finding air leaks from the outside:

• Do a visual inspection, 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.
• Do the garden hose test on a colder day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the building’s exterior while another person stands inside near a suspected air leak. If there’s a leak, the person inside will more than likely feel cold air or moisture getting into through the gap.

Sealing Air Leaks

After pinpointing major air leaks, it’s time to deal with the issue. Here are the most beneficial strategies for 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. Decide on a quality, long-lasting caulk designed for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you are trying to seal to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s details for the best application and curing time.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. A variety of  of weatherstripping are available, such as adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Choose the ideal 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 simple application in hard-to-reach areas. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you use them carefully.
• Install 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 your current level is inadequate.
• Install door sweeps along the bottom of external doors to restrict drafts. Door sweeps are sold in various materials and models to meet your requirements and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

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

• A blower door test entails installing a temporary door with a powerful fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the interior air pressure and pulling 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 locate temperature inconsistencies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing hidden air leaks and insulation inadequacies.
• A combustion safety test ensures your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of potentially deadly carbon monoxide buildup.
• A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor analyzes your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort issues to learn additional energy-saving options.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While performing your own air leak tests is an excellent launching point, partnering with a professional is far more thorough. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you improve your home’s air tightness with an extensive home energy assessment and tailored solutions to boost effectiveness and comfort.