Blog

The average home loses a significant amount of its energy through air leaks. Here are some tips for finding and repairing them.

Air leaks are a big problem in homes that don't have proper insulation. Is your heating and cooling system costing you more than you think it should? It might be time to find some air leaks in your home. Air leaks can cause various issues, including lower energy efficiency, higher utility bills, and an unhealthful indoor environment. Discover how to find those pesky gaps in your home and seal them up to prevent the costly effects of an unregulated heating and cooling system.

Where to Look for Air Leaks

Air leaks commonly occur under doors, around doorframes, and windows. However, there are many other places around the home that you should look for air leaks.

Other places that you need to look include :

· Ductwork

· Chimneys

· Attic Hatch

· Recessed Lighting

· Baseboards

· Porch Roof

There's no full-proof way to find all of the air leaks in your home. You may need to call a professional if you can't seem to track them down on your own.

Ways to Find Air Leaks

You don't need anything fancy to track down air leaks in your home. You can use a few common household items that most people already have on hand, and you'll be good to go.

Here are some ideas for finding these gaps:

Conduct a Visual Inspection

The surest way to find leaks is to walk around your home and look for them.

You should physically check:

· Doors and door frames

· Hardware such as locks, door hinges, etc.

· Electrical outlets on exterior walls of the house

· Window frames

· Blinds or curtains that allow air in from outside when they are closed off

Check to see if you can see any light coming in from outside when you've drawn all the curtains. Also, check for cracks in cement around the foundation.

Use Air Leak Detectors

You can purchase an air leak detector at your local hardware store. They provide a quick and easy way to find leaks. For instance, a smoke pencil air detector will show you the location of air leaks and drafts in your home.

Use the Blower Door Method

Another option is to use a blower door. A small, powerful fan that allows you to depressurize an area or room by exhausting all the indoor air through it. This forces outside air into cracks and crevices, exposing all the leaks in the process.

Use the Dish Soap Method

You can also use the dish soap method, which is very easy. Fill a spray bottle with water and add one drop of liquid dish soap. Then, begin spraying your exterior walls from the bottom until you see bubbles form near any cracks or gaps in your home.

Shine a Flashlight

Many people swear by the flashlight method. Place a flashlight against the exterior of your home and look for light shining through cracks or gaps in an area that shouldn't have any light coming from it at all. You can also use this test on windows, doors, around pipes/cables, chimneys etc.

Place a Paper Near Gaps

Holding a piece of paper lightly against exterior walls, doors, or windows can help you find air leaks. If your paper begins to move slightly in either direction when there is only a light breeze present outside, then chances are you have an air leak somewhere around that area.

Why You Air Leaks Need Fixing Now Rather than Later

If you're wondering why, you should fix these small areas immediately, think about what happens when you don't. You see, even though air leaks may seem like a minor problem, they can cost you much more money in the long run if they are not dealt with quickly enough.

First, air leaks compromise the air quality in your home. These air leaks can also lead to infiltration into your heating and cooling systems which will then require the use of more energy than is needed to regulate indoor temperature

Second, fixing these small areas costs cheaper than you might think. For instance, you can easily seal around doors and windows with caulk to prevent air leaks from occurring

Third, the benefits are huge! Some of these include:

· energy savings up to 20%

· increase in indoor comfort due to better insulation

· cleaner environment indoors

· fewer dust particles floating around

How To Fix Air Leaks

Once you've found air leaks, there are two ways to fix the problem. You can either fix it yourself or call in the experts. For small leaks, you can use caulk or aluminum tape to seal the area. You need to be careful with DIY projects, especially when it comes to electricity. If you aren't sure how to go about doing something, call in a professional!

For larger leaks or areas that are harder to reach, such as around your home's ductwork system, contact an HVAC contractor for help. Other leaks may require more extensive measures, such as replacing a window unit, for example. This is where hiring experts come in. They will have the tools and skills required to do air sealing properly so that your home stays energy efficient for years to come.

Have a Professional Inspect Your HVAC System

Your HVAC System can go out of balance very easily if you aren't careful. This means that it will take more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which of course, costs money.

Finding a professional HVAC contractor who can visit your home regularly and inspect your system is the best way to stop this from happening. They will look for things like loose belts, dirty filters, and leaks in your ductwork that might be throwing off the balance of your home's climate control.

In the process, they can identify areas in your home that might need extra insulation, which is a great way to save money on your utilities.

Comfortec Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is here when you need a reliable and experienced HVAC contractor in Estherville and Spirit Lake, Iowa. Call us today to schedule an appointment with our experts.