Air leaks in your home force you to use more energy than necessary just to keep your home at a comfortable level. You will be able to save money and be warmer this winter if you fix such leaks. Be sure to inspect these 11 places where air leaks commonly occur:
- Doors: Weatherstripping is an inexpensive material that can be applied to the perimeter of doors to stop drafts.
- Windows: Clear plastic insulation can be used to cover your windows to keep your warm air inside. Weatherstripping also works around windows.
- Duct connections: If your ductwork isn’t airtight, conditioned air will leak into areas that don’t need it, such as your crawl space or attic.
- Weakly insulated areas: If you don’t have the proper amount of insulation, heat will be able to transfer in and out of your home.
- Poorly sealed registers: Make sure they are tightly sealed to you ducts.
- Furnace and filter slots: Double-check the connections to the furnace to make sure everything is tight.
- Attic hatch: During the winter, cold air from your attic can seep into your home if the hatch isn’t properly sealed.
- Behind knee walls: Knee wall panels should be inspected for air leaks.
- Basement rim joists: These are the spots where the foundation meets the wood framing and should be properly caulked to prevent leaks.
- Wiring holes: These often lead from the attic to your home and need to be tightened up.
- Plumbing vents: These are another place where air from your attic can leak into your home.
The best way to find all of the spots that your home is losing energy is to have a HVAC professional perform an energy evaluation. They will use a number of tests to accurately pinpoint where exactly you are leaking air and offer solutions that will help you prevent this.
To learn more about air leaks in your home and how they will affect your comfort and energy costs this winter, call us today at (503) 266-1249.
