Easy Ways to Detect Air Leaks in Your Home

A leaky house is considerably less energy efficient than a properly sealed one. Knowing how to uncover air leaks in your house, sealing those leaks and scheduling a home energy assessment when necessary 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 inside. Here are four reliable methods for finding air leaks in your house:

  • Perform a comprehensive visual inspection, looking for gaps and cracks in and around windows, doors, electrical outlets and baseboards. Pay extra attention to the corners of rooms, because gaps can commonly be found there.
  • Put your hand close to potentially leaky areas on a cold or windy day. If you believe there is a draft, you’ve found an air leak.
  • Do a smoke test by lighting an incense stick or smoke pen. Then, slowly move it near 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, revealing the location of a leak. The smoke test is best at finding leaks when done on a windy day.
  • Use an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to identify temperature differences in the different areas of your home. These tools help you locate areas with sizeable temperature variations, which often are caused by air leaks.

Detecting Air Leaks from Outside Your Home

Inspecting the outer structure can also uncover potential leaks. Here are two strategies for finding air leaks from the outside:

  • Perform a visual inspection, paying close attention to corners and places where different materials meet. Search for gaps or cracks that could lead to air leaks, as well as deteriorated caulk or weatherstripping and incorrectly sealed vents and exhaust fans.
  • Perform 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 should feel cold air or moisture coming through the gap.

Sealing Air Leaks

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

  • Utilize caulk to seal small gaps and cracks around windows, doors and other areas where air is leaking out. Choose a quality, long-lasting caulk created for indoor or outdoor use and the specific materials you are trying to seal to ensure a durable seal. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application and curing time.
  • Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to help them close tightly. A variety of  of weatherstripping are on the market, examples include adhesive-backed foam tape, V-strip and door sweeps. Pick the appropriate style for your needs and follow the installation recommendations.
  • Use expanding foam to fill and seal larger 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 follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you use them carefully.
  • Apply insulation to newly sealed walls and attic floors to further reduce heat transfer. Whether or not 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 available in various materials and designs to meet your desires and aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

A home energy assessment is invaluable for identifying sneaky air leaks and identifying areas of improvement. A professional energy auditor does this inspection, which includes 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 out of 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 more pronounced.
  • Infrared imaging helps the energy auditor identify temperature differences in the walls, floors and ceilings, revealing unseen air leaks and insulation inadequacies.
  • A combustion safety test makes certain your home heating system, water heater and other combustion appliances are operating safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of potentially harmful carbon monoxide buildup.
  • A homeowner interview is when the energy auditor discusses your energy usage habits, home maintenance history and comfort issues to learn additional energy-saving options.

Schedule a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment

While carrying out your own air leak tests is a good launching 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 an extensive home energy assessment and tailored solutions to maximize performance and comfort.

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