Heating and cooling your home is a necessary expense to maintain comfort, so it’s important that the expense is not wasted. When the house is not sealed up properly, warm air can come in during the summer, and cold air will come in during the winter, causing your energy bills to skyrocket.
Fall is the perfect time to check for air leaks so that your home is comfortable and energy efficient by the time winter arrives.
A significant portion of leaks comes from small cracks and holes in the home. An HVAC technician can conduct a home assessment and make recommendations for alleviating the problem areas, which usually include doors, windows, and attics.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors has a unique solution for finding leaks in your home. Burn an incense stick and walk around the home, paying close attention to doors, windows, and outlets. If the smoke from the incense starts to drift sideways, you’ve likely found a leak.
It may sound strange, but looking for a cobweb is one way to spot potential leaks—spiders like to put webs near points of airflow.
Depending on the nature of the leaks, weather stripping or caulking might work to limit airflow. Replacing windows or doors is another idea.
It’s possible that there is inadequate insulation in the attic, as it’s a prime location for warm air to escape to, forcing your heating system to work that much harder to keep the household temperature stable.
Don’t make your heating system work harder than it has to this winter—find and fix those air leaks. If you have any questions or need a home evaluation, contact us at Total Comfort Heating and Cooling. We can help you with all of your HVAC concerns.