Common Air Leaks Are Costing You More Than You Think

Have you performed maintenance around your home trying to make it more energy efficient?

There are a variety of things that are easy to do.

• Buy more efficient appliances
• Replace your lightbulbs with LED
• Installing a low flow toilet

But have you considered sealing your air leaks?

Air leaks create drafts inside your home that allow heated and cooled air to escape. That causes your energy consumption to rise, as well as make you more uncomfortable throughout the day.

What causes air leaks?

Windows and doors

Your windows and doors are in constant flux as you open and close them throughout the year. Inspect them regularly to see where air leaks start. You can fix air leaks by installing weatherstripping, replace door hinges for a tighter fit.

Ductwork

When your home was built, ductwork was installed throughout your home to ensure conditioned air was properly delivered to every room. Over time, ductwork can shake loose, allowing leaks throughout the system. Heated and cooled air is leaked where it shouldn’t, such as the attic or crawl space, meaning the various rooms in your home might not be adequately supplied. One of our technicians can perform a thorough inspection to ensure the ductwork is in proper working condition, making repairs as needed.

Attic

Did you know your attic controls a lot of your home’s temperature? If it isn’t properly insulated, heat and cooled air can rise and move outside your home rather than keeping your rooms properly conditioned. In addition to attic insulation, it’s equally important to ensure other fixtures are insulated efficiently. Things like recessed lighting, electrical outlets, ceiling fans, and other fixtures can open up your home to inefficient and problematic additions.

The best way to determine where your problems lie is with an energy audit. It’s the perfect home maintenance item you can do, to start taking on the projects that will really make a difference in your home this year.