How To Find and Seal Air Leaks at Home

A drafty home isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s also expensive. When air leaks allow climate-controlled air to escape, your HVAc system has to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature, driving up energy bills. But if you know how to find and seal air leaks in your home, you can solve both of these problems.

Here’s what you need to know about how you can improve your home’s insulation and leak resistance to keep your air where it needs to be.

Common Areas in Texas Homes Where Air Leaks Happen

Finding air leaks starts with inspecting the areas most prone to drafts, including:

• Doors Seams
• Windows Seams
• Around Chimneys and Furnace Flues
• Wiring and Plumbing Entry Points
• Inside Ductwork
• Exterior and Garage-Adjacent Walls
• Recessed Lighting

How Air Leaks Affect Energy Bills and Indoor Comfort

Air leaks allow the conditioned air you’re paying to heat or cool to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime. This extra workload increases your energy usage and costs.

According to the EPA, sealing air leaks can reduce heating and cooling expenses by up to 15%, making it a crucial step for homeowners looking to save money and improve comfort.

How Sealing Air Leaks Helps With Energy Efficiency and HVAC Performance

By reducing air leaks, you not only lower your energy bills but also improve the performance and lifespan of your HVAC system. A system that doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain indoor temperatures experiences less wear and tear, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs and extending its operational life.

Simple Ways to Check for Air Leaks at Home

Detecting air leaks doesn’t require advanced tools – these simple methods can help you find problem areas:

• Hold a piece of tissue paper near windows, doors or outlets. If it moves, there’s likely a draft.
• Close a dollar bill in a window or door frame. If you can easily pull it out, the seal isn’t tight enough.
• Light an incense stick and hold it near suspected leaks. Watch the smoke – any disturbance indicates airflow.
• Use your hands to feel for drafts around windows, doors, baseboards, and attic hatches, especially on windy days.

Of course, you can also call professionals like Fast Response Heating & Cooling to run detailed tests to identify even hard-to-detect leaks.

What Tools Are Best for Sealing Air Leaks?

Sealing air leaks requires the right materials. Here are some of our favorite options:

• Caulk: Ideal for sealing small cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
• Weatherstripping: Provides reliable seal for moveable components like doors and windows.
• Spray foam: Expands to fill larger gaps, making it great for plumbing and wiring entry points.
• Metal flashing: Used to seal gaps around chimneys and flues.
• Insulation: Adds an extra barrier against air leaks in attics and crawl spaces.

Learn How To Find and Seal Air Leaks in Your Home With Fast Response Heating & Cooling

If you’re ready to eliminate drafts and improve your home’s comfort, Fast Response is here to help.

For service or answers to your questions about heating and cooling, call (945) 292-3188 today!