Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is significantly less energy efficient than a tightly sealed one. Knowing how to detect air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when warranted can help you establish a relaxing living environment and lower your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

Start your air leak inspection on the interior. Here are four effective techniques for looking for air leaks in your house:

• Perform a thorough visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks on or near windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay special attention to the corners of rooms, given that gaps can commonly be found there.
• Place your hand near potentially leaky locations on a cold or windy day. If you believe there is a draft, you’ve found 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 problem areas. If an air leak is occurring in this location, the smoke will blow around or get sucked into the gap, showing the location of a leak. The smoke test is best at finding leaks when done on a windy day.
• Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to identify temperature differences in the different areas of your home. This equipment will help you identify sections of your home with sizeable temperature variations, which often are caused by air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

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

• Conduct a visual examination, 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 improperly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
• Perform the garden hose test on a cool day. This is where someone sprays water from a garden hose onto the outside of the house while another person stands inside close to 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 significant air leaks, it’s time to deal with the issue. Here are the best 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 escaping. Select a top-quality, long-lasting caulk developed for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you’re using to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best application and curing time.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. Different kinds  of weatherstripping are on the market, such as adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Choose the correct style for your needs and follow the installation guidelines.
• Use expanding foam to fill and seal more substantial gaps and holes. Expanding foam is available in a can with a spray applicator for quick application in hard-to-reach areas. Wear protective gloves and stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure safe use.
• Install insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further minimize heat transfer. Even when you already have some insulation, consider upgrading to a higher R-value or adding more insulation where your current level is inadequate.
• Add door sweeps along the bottom of outside doors to prevent drafts. Door sweeps are available in various materials and designs to meet your needs and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

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

• A blower door test involves putting in a temporary door with a strong fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air from the house, lowering the indoor 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 locate temperature inconsistencies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing unseen air leaks and insulation deficiencies.
• A combustion safety test makes sure your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and correctly, reducing 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 learn additional energy-saving possibilities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While performing your own air leak tests is a good 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 personalized solutions to enhance efficiency and comfort.