If you want to save energy, one of your best options is to use caulk, weatherstripping or spray foam to seal all cracks, openings and seams in your home’s envelope. Air leakage can make it harder for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable, and this can cost you money. Below are some ways you can reduce air leaks and make your home more comfortable this winter.
Tips and Tricks for Sealing Air Leaks
- If you have doors and windows that leak air, seal them with weatherstripping or caulk depending on the type of leak.
- Wherever exhaust vents, electrical wiring or plumbing penetrate walls, caulk and seal air leaks.
- Foam gaskets should be installed behind switch plates and outlets.
- Check your insulation for mold and dirt, which indicate air leaking next to the insulation. Use low expansion spray foam to seal leaks.
- Dirty spots on carpet and ceiling paint could indicate an air leak where an interior wall meets a ceiling joint or floor joist. These air leaks should be caulked.
- Single pane storm windows should be covered, or replace them with more efficient double pain windows.
- Large gaps around baseboards, windows, and other places where air leaks should be sealed with foam sealant.
- Make sure your dryer vent is not blocked. This can save energy and prevent fires.
- Fireplace flue dampers should be kept closed tightly when the fireplace is not in use.
- Air leaks around furnace and water heater vents, and fireplace chimneys need to be sealed with sheetrock or sheet metal and furnace cement caulk.
- Your fireplace flue can become a channel for air loss if the metal warps or breaks. Consider using an inflatable chimney balloon.
For more information on sealing air leaks or other home comfort issues in the Indianapolis area, please contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Greg-McGill/Shutterstock”
