The U.S. Department of Energy tells us that air leakage adds around 20 percent to the average household’s yearly heating and cooling costs. To reduce this energy waste in your home, you need to find the source of any air leaks through the conditioned envelope and seal them.
Locating Sources of Air Leakage
To identify the specific areas that need air sealing, you can start by checking common trouble spots outdoors, such as around exterior doors and windows, where different materials meet, along the sill plate/foundation juncture and any penetrations for pipes, wiring and vents. Indoors, check around:
- The attic floor perimeter and recessed lights
- Where the chimney, pipes and vents pass through the attic floor
- The attic hatch
- Ceiling/wall junctures
- Baseboards on exterior walls
- Electrical boxes on exterior walls
- The fireplace flue
Air Leakage Detection Methods
To help you locate leaks, try these three detection techniques:
- Pressurize your home. Wait until a cold, windy day, then turn off all your combustion devices like the water heater and kitchen range. Then, make certain all windows and exterior doors are closed tight, along with the fireplace damper. Now, start up any equipment that pushes air outdoors, like your kitchen/bathroom fans and clothes dryer. Once this is done you can test for leaks by moving a smoke pencil along any possible leak sources. Areas where the smoke wavers need sealing.
- Perform a paper test. One at a time, open each of your windows and exterior doors. Place a dollar bill underneath each one, then close it. If you can pull the bill out easily, you’ve found a gap where air is leaking.
- Look for light sources. To locate larger leaks, have a helper look for light sources when its dark out. With a flashlight in hand, walk your home’s exterior perimeter and shine the light at the areas susceptible to air leaks. Your helper should follow along on the interior and note any spots where light is shining through.
For more expert advice about detecting air leaks and saving energy in your Lorain home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area