Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is dramatically less energy efficient than a properly sealed one. Understanding how to uncover air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when necessary can help you create a relaxing living environment and lower your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

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

  • Perform a comprehensive visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks on or near windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay extra attention to the corners of rooms, given that gaps can frequently be found there.
  • Put your hand near potentially leaky places on a cold or windy day. If you feel a draft, you’ve uncovered 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 leaky areas. If an air leak exists, the smoke will blow around or get sucked toward the gap, exposing the location of a leak. The smoke test is most effective when performed on a windy day.
  • Use an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to detect temperature differences in your home. These devices help you detect rooms with significant temperature variations, which often signify air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Inspecting the home’s outdoor structure can also reveal potential leaks. Here are two tips for discovering air leaks from the outside:

  • Conduct a visual assessment, paying close attention to corners and places where different materials meet. Search for gaps or cracks that could cause air leaks, as well as damaged caulk or weatherstripping and poorly 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 exterior 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 entering through the gap.

Sealing Air Leaks

After finding 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 leaking out. Choose a high-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, including adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Choose the proper style for your needs and follow the installation guidelines.
  • 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 spots. Wear protective gloves and adhere to the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you use them carefully.
  • Apply 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.
  • Put door sweeps along the bottom of exterior doors to prevent drafts. Door sweeps are offered in various materials and models to fit your desires and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is valuable for spotting sneaky air leaks and pinpointing areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor does this inspection, which consists of the following:

  • A blower door test includes setting up a temporary door with a powerful fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air away from the house, lowering the interior air pressure and drawing 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 identify temperature discrepancies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing unseen air leaks and insulation gaps.
  • A combustion safety test ensures your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and efficiently, 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 issues to learn additional energy-saving opportunities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While performing your own air leak tests is a good jumping off 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 effectiveness and comfort.

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