How to Save Energy This Summer: Locate Air Leaks in Your Home
Posted by James Desmond on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
Did you know that the potential energy savings from reducing drafts in your home may range from 5-30% per year, and your home is generally much more comfortable afterward. First, check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Next, check to see if air can flow through these places:
- Electrical Outlets
- Switch Plates
- Window Frames
- Baseboards
- Weather stripping around doors
- Fireplace Dampers
- Attic hatches
- Wall or window-mounted air conditioners
Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your windows and doors with newer, high-performance, energy efficient ones such as the revolutionary Heat Mirror replacement window (click for more information).
If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:
- First, close all exterior doors,windows, and fireplace flues.
- Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
- Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.
This test increases
infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. IF you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.