Summer is almost here in Frankfort, IL, and homeowners are anxiously gearing up for the warm weather to come. While now may not seem like the time of year when home air loss is top of mind for homeowners, a tightly-sealed building envelope is just as important during the summertime as it is during the winter months. This is especially true in homes that are cooled throughout the summer with AC units, in which case you can end up losing a great deal of energy through the cracks and gaps scattered throughout the home.
On the plus side, dealing with air leaks doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think, and it all starts with identifying them.
4 Ways to Check for Leaks
Depending on how old or new your home is, it may be a prime suspect for excessive air leakage. If you want to take things into your own hands and see whether or not air leaks are getting in the way of your home’s efficiency and performance, check out these four strategies:
Start with a Visual Inspection
This is the best way to get a sense of whether or not there are any glaring air sealing issues in the home, and it’s as easy as doing a full walkthrough of the home with a watchful eye.
Conduct a Light Test
If you shine a flashlight throughout the home at night and a partner observes from the home’s exterior, he or she may be able to spot instances of light shining through the home, which signifies air leakage.
Test Windows & Doors with a Piece of Paper
Slip a regular piece of paper underneath each window and door in your home that leads to the outside and close them tight. If you’re able to pull the paper out without tearing it, your home is likely leaking air.
Do an Incense Test
Turn off any combustible sources in the home and turn on all fans/exhausts in the kitchen, bathrooms and elsewhere. Next, light a stick of incense and move it throughout the home along your walls. If you notice that the smoke waves or begins to move seemingly on its own, the culprit isn’t a ghost—it’s a lack of air sealing.
Assured Insulation Solutions Can Help!
If you discover air leaks in your home, there’s no need to panic. Through a combination of air sealing and high-performance insulation, the team at Assured Insulation Solutions can help to enhance energy efficiency in your home to a noticeable degree. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.