Don’t let cold temperatures and windy weather strain your winter heating budget because of a drafty house. Unlike the weather, you can do something about all those holes and cracks that drive up energy bills and lower indoor comfort.
Where to Look for Leaks in a Drafty House
A licensed energy auditor provides the most thorough and accurate assessment of your home’s weaknesses when it comes to air leaks. They have tools that pinpoint the precise sources and sizes of all the leaks.
In lieu of using a professional, you can conduct your own inspection. Look carefully around the:
- Door and window frames
- Sill and attic top plates
- Pipes that enter the attic from kitchens and bathrooms, along with holes where pipes and wires enter the home
- Recessed can lighting that enters the attic
- Electrical outlets and switches that sit on exterior walls
- Ductwork
How to Seal a Drafty House
Myriad products are available that include caulk, insulation, insulating tape, and expanding spray foam. Draft blockers work well for stopping drafts at the base of doors and windows. Expanding foams seal cracks, gaps, and holes effectively. Look for the appropriate type of foam before using it, especially for electrical and plumbing applications.
Attics are especially important to seal properly. Drafts that originate at the top of the house can pull outdoor air all the way from the basement up through the attic, causing significant cooling. This is a natural phenomenon called the chimney effect. Less air leakage between the ceiling plates and the attic floor help keep your home as energy-efficient as possible.
Whether your ductwork runs through the basement or the attic, leaks in the ductwork can drive up energy costs dramatically. They also cause backdrafting of harmful gases like carbon monoxide if you have any vented gas appliances like a dryer or water heater.
A drafty house makes for an uncomfortable home – and sometimes an unhealthy one. If you’d like more information about keeping your home as energy-efficient and as draft-free as possible, contact the pros at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide trusted HVAC services for homeowners in the Indianapolis area.
