Solving Air Leaks in the Home

Did you know that air leaks in your home could be killing your HVAC efficiency? Air leaks create hot or cold spots throughout the home, and decrease your indoor air quality. Here’s how to fix them.

Doors and Windows

The most obvious source of air leaks in your home occurs around your doors and windows. Every time someone slams the door, or closes a window with a little too much force, they put pressure on the frame and the structure of the home. Before long, even a very tight window or door installation will begin to have gaps. This can cause HVAC inefficiency and lower air quality inside the home. One easy trick to identify an air leak is to light a match or candle and move the flame near the door frame or the window frame. If the fire flickers, you have an air leak. Air leaks around windows and doors are typically repaired using caulking and weather-stripping.

Structural Leaks

There is insulation all around the exterior structure of your home. The insulation is in the walls, the attic, and between floors. This insulation is necessary to keep heated air from moving from one side of the wall to the other. When there are holes in the exterior structure, it can damage the insulation and make it less effective. If you have your insulation inspected, and some of it is wet, you know you have an air leak. Replacing damaged insulation and sealing the leak solves the problem.

Attic and Roof

If you are not in the habit of maintaining your roof and your attic, it is possible that there are several air leaks up there. Even the slightest holes in your roof, caused by weather or wind, can lead to leaking and possibly permanent damage to the structure of the home. If you notice moisture dripping down from a skylight, or from another part of the roof, you probably have a leak or some broken flashings that may need to be replaced. Hiring a professional for roof repair or replacement is an ideal choice.

Ductwork

Air leaks in your ductwork are a major cause of inefficiency in your heating and cooling system. Experts claim that as much as 30% of the heated or cooled air flowing through your ductwork never reaches the designated room due to air leaks in the ducts. If you can see your ductwork, which may be located in your attic or basement, you may be able to spot likely places for gaps. For example, flexible ductwork that has kinks in it may have tears or gaps at the joints that allow air to escape. Leaky ductwork could be sealed by a Sacramento HVAC professional, but severely damaged ductwork may need to be replaced.

Coping with air leaks in your home is a necessity to keep the space feeling comfortable throughout the year. When you are ready for greater HVAC efficiency and to solve your air leaks for good, contact the Sacramento heating and air experts at Ace Plumbing.