Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

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

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

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

• Carry out a detailed visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay particular attention to the corners of rooms, given that gaps can frequently be found there.
• Put your hand near potentially leaky locations on a cold or windy day. If you sense a draft, you’ve uncovered an air leak.
• Complete 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 is occurring in this location, the smoke will blow around or get sucked toward the gap, revealing the site of the leak. The smoke test is best at finding leaks when conducted on a windy day.
• Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to find temperature differences in the different areas of your home. This equipment will help you identify rooms with major temperature variations, which often indicate air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Studying the home’s outdoor structure can also expose potential leaks. Here are two strategies for detecting air leaks from the outside:

• Conduct a visual examination, paying close attention to corners and places where different materials meet. Look for gaps or cracks that could cause air leaks, as well as damaged caulk or weatherstripping and improperly 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 outside of the house while another person stands inside near 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 identifying major air leaks, it’s time to deal with the issue. Here are the most beneficial methods for sealing air leaks in your home:

• Apply caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is getting out of the home. Select a top-quality, long-lasting caulk developed for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you are trying to seal to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best application and curing time.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. Different kinds  of weatherstripping are available, examples include adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Pick the proper style for your needs and follow the installation instructions.
• Use expanding foam to fill and seal more substantial gaps and holes. Expanding foam comes in a can with a spray applicator for easy application in hard-to-reach areas. Wear protective gloves and adhere to the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you use them carefully.
• Install insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further reduce heat transfer. Even if 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 outside doors to stop drafts. Door sweeps are available in various materials and designs to suit your needs and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is valuable for finding hidden air leaks and pinpointing areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor carries out this inspection, which consists of the following:

• A blower door test involves setting up a temporary door with a powerful fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air away from the house, lowering the inside air pressure and drawing 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 detect temperature discrepancies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing hidden air leaks and insulation deficiencies.
• A combustion safety test makes certain 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 looks at your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort issues to spot additional energy-saving possibilities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While performing your own air leak tests is a great 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 a comprehensive home energy assessment and personalized solutions to boost efficiency and comfort.