The Importance of Finding Air Leaks in Your Home Envelope

Your home’s envelope is the barrier that keeps the outdoor weather conditions out of your living environment. Unfortunately, there are lots of places where air leakage can compromise the envelope because your home is like a jigsaw puzzle of various structural components. If you want to boost your home comfort and lower your heating and cooling costs, it’s important to find and block as many air leaks as possible.

How to Find Air Leaks

Start with a thorough visual inspection of your home’s exterior. Look for gaps, holes and cracks where air can enter, and pay attention to these areas:

• Around penetrations through the shell, like electrical wiring, HVAC vents and hose spigots.

• Wherever different types of building materials come together.

• Along the foundation where it meets the siding.

• Around windows and exterior door frames.

Next, search for leaks in the living areas and attic. Indoors, the wavering smoke of a burning stick of incense or a smoke pencil can help you pinpoint areas that need attention. Common trouble spots include:

• Between the attic floor and the living area ceilings, especially around recessed light fixtures, chimney or flue penetrations and the access hatch.
• Around window and door trim boards.
• Electrical switches and outlets, and along the baseboards on exterior walls.

How to Seal Air Leaks

Air sealing can be time consuming, but you can make less overwhelming by tackling problem areas you’ve identified around your home one at a time. The materials you need for fixing different types of leaks are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, and include:

• Caulk — This is ideal for gaps and cracks a quarter inch or less in width around stationary components such as window frames.
• Weather stripping — Available in different widths, self-adhesive weather stripping is a good choice for movable doors and window sashes, and around the attic hatch.
• Spray foam — Expandable foam works well to fill holes and gaps wider than 1/4 inch around penetrations through the shell or attic floor.

For expert help identifying and sealing air leaks in your Lorain home’s envelope, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

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