To achieve the ultimate assessment of where and how air leaks occur in your home, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests hiring a qualified technician. The technician will conduct an energy audit of your home. On the other hand, we know you don’t need an expert to tell you there’s a draft coming in from beneath your basement door. But what about less obvious sources of air leaks? Give your house an Indoor Air Leak Check Up this month and cut your home’s energy costs. Winter weather is around the corner, so keep the drafts out and warm air in. Don’t let your energy budget from escape your home through places you may not have considered. These include:
- Light switch plates
- Electrical outlet plates
- Fireplace dampers
- Cable lines for TV
- Phone lines
- Mail slots
Most of these leaks can be detected with a visual inspection, so just take a walk around your home and look for gaps around these areas. If you can see daylight around your mail slot, you know your heating or air conditioning is certainly finding its way out. The good news is you can seal most of these yourself with caulk or weatherstripping. Weatherstripping your windows isn’t difficult, but different windows require different solutions. Read our article on how to Prepare Your Home to Beat the Heat where you will find some great tips on how to weatherstrip your windows from Lowe’s.
Finally, for an overall picture of how your home’s insulation measures up, the U.S. Department of Energy offers great tips on conducting a more in-depth energy audit.