If you’ve been feeling a chill in your home, even when the temperatures are up, it might be due to air leaks. Air leaking into and out of your home can waste energy and make your home uncomfortable. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to find and fix air leaks in your home!
Common Sources of Air Leaks
Air leaks can come from a variety of sources in your home. Some of the most common sources of air leaks are:
- Windows and doors
- Attic hatches
- Ceiling fixtures
- Baseboards
- Electrical outlets
- Plumbing fixtures
To find air leaks in your home, start by doing a visual inspection of all the potential leak sources. Look for cracks or gaps around doors and windows. Also, look for any places where two different building materials meet, such as where the trim meets the wall or where the foundation meets the sill plate.
Once you’ve identified all the potential air leak sources in your home, you can begin sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!
How To Identify Your Home’s Air Leaks
Once you have identified the common sources of air leaks in your home, it is important to find and fix the specific leaks. One way to do this is to use a smoke pencil. A smoke pencil is a tool that emits a stream of smoke, which you can use to identify air leaks.
To use a smoke pencil, first close all the windows and doors in your home. Then, light the smoke pencil and hold it up to the cracks and gaps in your home. If you see any smoke coming through the crack, that means there is an air leak!
Once you’ve identified all the air leaks in your home, you can start sealing them up. Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!
Sealing Your Home’s Air Leaks
Once you have identified all the air leaks in your home, it is time to start sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!
Caulking
Caulking is a sealant that you can use to fill small cracks and gaps around your home. To caulk an air leak, simply apply the caulking material to the crack or gap and smooth it out with your finger. Caulking is best for small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, trim, and baseboards.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a sealant that you can use to fill larger cracks and gaps around your home. Weatherstripping comes in a variety of materials, such as foam, felt, vinyl, and metal. To weatherstrip an air leak, simply apply the weatherstripping material to the crack or gap and secure it in place with tape or nails. Weatherstripping is best for larger cracks and gaps around doors and windows.
Expanding Foam Sealant
Expanding foam sealant is a sealant that you can use to fill larger cracks and gaps around your home. Expanding foam sealant comes in a can and expands to fill the crack or gap. To use expanding foam sealant, simply apply the material to the crack or gap and smooth it out with your finger. Expanding foam sealant is best for larger cracks and gaps around plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, and ceiling fixtures.
Sealing Your Home’s Air Leaks
Once you have identified all the air leaks in your home, it is time to start sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!
Use Reflective Insulation To Prevent Air Leaks
One of the best ways to prevent air leaks in your home is to use reflective insulation. Reflective insulation is a type of insulation that reflects heat back into your home. This means that it can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Reflective insulation also helps prevent air leaks, because it creates a barrier between the outside air and your home.
There are a variety of different types of reflective insulation, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Some types of reflective insulation are made of foam, while others are made of metal. Reflective insulation can be installed in walls, ceilings, and floors, making it a versatile option for any home.
If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, reflective insulation is a great place to start. It’s an easy way to prevent air leaks and keep your home comfortable all year long!