How to Locate Drafts in the House
Living in a drafty house isn't just uncomfortable. It's a telltale sign that your home is wasting energy, and that the time has come to address the problem and locate drafts in the house. A home assessment is the way to begin, and homeowners in Alpharetta and other cities in the greater Atlanta area can utilize this "no cost" service from Reliable Heating & Air to get an idea of what fixes they will need to remedy a drafty room or house. They may include additional insulation, weatherstripping, caulking or other solutions. Here's how to proceed.
Finding the source of drafts
When you have drafts in different rooms at home, it's a sign you don't have proper insulation, or that the original work simply needs updating and improvement. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you may be losing up to 30 percent of the energy used to heat or cool a drafty room.
Interior checks. Finding the source of drafts is simple when you can feel the difference between rooms. Reliable techs look at the edges of molding, where the edges of walls meet the floor, and outlet locations in the walls. The holes or spaces there may seem small, but they contribute to major drafts when taken altogether. Anywhere you see something extending out of a wall - a ceiling fan, the cable line - you will have a potential for energy loss.
Outside checks. To start, Reliable will check for gaps where a home's walls connect. Siding can come undone over time, as can roof shingles, and these areas of the house are clear targets for fixing drafts in the home.
Reliable techs have smoke pencils, infrared thermometers and other instruments to check for leakage. Any significant leaks should be the first targets for caulking or weatherstripping. Energy.gov recommends a simple test for doors: Close outside doors over a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar from under the door, there is more space than necessary, and the gap should be addressed.
Trying a DIY fix
Sealing the site of air leaks inside and outside your home will be tricky if you are not a professional, but the most glaring problems are worth addressing. Using a caulk gun, you can add a layer of sealant to places where you can see previous materials have worn away.
Home improvement stores can provide materials for weatherstripping, and the dollar-bill test will indicate whether your fix is working. With respect to insulation and other parts of the home that were installed by builders, you should rely on a professional home energy audit to show you the best course of action.
Professional energy audits
In a full energy audit, a professional with will make a thorough examination of your home. This procedure includes tests of ducts and carbon monoxide levels, as well a leak test using a high-powered blower door. It's the only way to clearly assess the state of your home's efficiency.
A energy audit by Reliable Heat & Air will show you the way to locate drafts in the house. By the time the solutions are implemented, you will find your home's comfort quotient and energy performance on an entirely different level. Plus, you'll save some extra money every month!