Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is significantly 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 establish a comfortable 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 effective methods for finding air leaks in your house:

• Carry out a comprehensive 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 commonly be found there.
• Hold your hand near potentially leaky areas on a cold or windy day. If you believe there is a draft, you’ve discovered an air leak.
• Complete 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 problem areas. If an air leak is present, the smoke will blow around or get sucked toward the gap, showing the site of the leak. The smoke test is most effective when conducted on a windy day.
• Employ an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to detect temperature differences in the different areas of your home. This equipment will help you detect locations with sizeable temperature variations, which often are caused by air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

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

• Conduct a visual inspection, paying close attention to corners and areas where different materials meet. Hunt for gaps or cracks that could cause air leaks, as well as worn caulk or weatherstripping and poorly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
• Do 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 where there is a suspected air leak. If there’s a leak, the person inside ought to feel cold air or moisture coming through the gap.

Sealing Air Leaks

After identifying major air leaks, it’s time to address the issue. Here are the best methods for sealing air leaks in your home:

• Use caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is getting out of the home. Pick a top-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 directions for proper application and curing time.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. A variety of  of weatherstripping are sold in stores, examples include adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Pick the ideal style for your needs and follow the installation instructions.
• Use expanding foam to fill and seal bigger gaps and holes. Expanding foam is sold in a can with a spray applicator for quick application in hard-to-reach places. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s directions to ensure safe use.
• Apply insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further cut down on heat transfer. Even if you already have some insulation, consider upgrading to a higher R-value or adding more insulation where it’s currently lacking.
• Install door sweeps along the bottom of outside doors to restrict drafts. Door sweeps are offered in various materials and styles to suit your desires 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 carries out this inspection, which consists of the following:

• A blower door test entails installing a temporary door with a powerful 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 easier to read.
• Infrared imaging helps the energy auditor locate temperature discrepancies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing hidden air leaks and insulation deficiencies.
• A combustion safety test ensures your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and correctly, lowering the risk of potentially dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
• A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor looks at your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort obstacles to spot additional energy-saving opportunities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While carrying out your own air leak tests is a good starting point, working with a professional is far more thorough. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you improve your home’s air tightness with a detailed home energy assessment and tailored solutions to enhance efficiency and comfort.