Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your North America Home

A leaky house is considerably less energy efficient than a tightly sealed one. Understanding how to find air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when warranted can help you maintain a cozy living environment and lower your energy bills.

Detecting Air Leaks from Inside Your Home

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

Conduct|Perform|Carry out]13] a detailed visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks on or near windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay special attention to the corners of rooms, because gaps can frequently be found there.
Place your hand near potentially leaky places on a cold or windy day. If you sense a draft, you’ve discovered an air leak.
Perform the smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it near the edges of windows, doors and other potential trouble spots. If an air leak exists, the smoke will blow around or get sucked toward the gap, revealing the leak’s location. The smoke test is most effective when done on a windy day.
Utilize an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to detect temperature differences in your home. These tools help you locate rooms with sizeable temperature variations, which often are caused by air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Studying the exterior structure can also expose 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 lead to 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 building's exterior while another person stands inside near 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 finding major air leaks, it’s time to address the issue. Here are the most effective ways to seal air leaks in your home:

Use caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is leaking out. Decide on a high-quality, long-lasting caulk made for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you are trying to seal to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best application and curing time.
Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. A variety of of weatherstripping are on the market, such as adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Choose the appropriate style for your needs and follow the installation recommendations.
Use expanding foam to fill and seal more substantial gaps and holes. Expanding foam comes in a can with a spray applicator for quick application in hard-to-reach places. Wear protective gloves and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you use them carefully.
Install insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further minimize heat transfer. Whether or not you already have some insulation, consider upgrading to a higher R-value or adding more insulation where you need more.
Add door sweeps along the bottom of exterior doors to restrict drafts. Door sweeps are made in various materials and styles to fit your desires and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is invaluable for finding hidden air leaks and identifying areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor does this inspection, which consists of the following:

A blower door test entails installing a temporary door with a sturdy fan over an exterior door opening. The fan pulls air away 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 show leaks more clearly.
Infrared imaging helps the energy auditor detect temperature inconsistencies in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing invisible air leaks and insulation gaps.
A combustion safety test makes certain your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and effectively, reducing the risk of potentially harmful carbon monoxide buildup.
A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor analyzes your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort issues to spot additional energy-saving possibilities.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While doing your own air leak tests is a great starting point, talking everything over with a professional is far more thorough. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you improve your home’s air tightness with a detailed home energy assessment and customized solutions to maximize performance and comfort.