One of the main priorities for homeowners is maintaining a comfortable interior setting throughout the year. Unfortunately, air leaks can affect the quality of the setting and lead to increased energy bills as the HVAC system works hard to maintain a consistent temperature. Finding air leaks is essential to ensure you can identify where the heat or cold air is escaping. Here are a few ways to check your home for air leaks:
1. Perform a Visual Inspection
One of the easiest ways to find air leaks on the property is to perform a visual inspection where different building materials meet on the exterior of the building. Inspect the outdoor water faucets, all exterior corners, and areas near the foundation. Inside, you’ll need to inspect the baseboards, vents and fans, fireplace dampers, and switch plates.
2. Perform a Building Pressurization Test
A building pressurization test will test infiltration through leaks and cracks to make them easy to find. Turn off all combustion appliances and shut all windows and doors. Light an incense stick or a candle to hold up near common leak sites to find where drafts may be present.
3. Use a Flashlight
At night, consider performing a test with a flashlight to detect where leaks have formed. Shine the flashlight over areas where potential gaps are present. Have another person stand outside and look for any light coming through the wall. Inspect windows, doors, and outlets. Large cracks will allow the light to shine through to the other side and will help to identify what areas need to be patched or caulked.
Reputable HVAC Service
Contact Service Plus Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Aurora, IL, to learn more about how you can find possible air leaks in your home or office. Our team of technicians can assist you with the process of reducing your energy usage. In addition, we offer heating, cooling, indoor air quality, and duct cleaning services.