Air Leaks: How to Find Them and Why You Should Care

One of the best ways to save on your energy bill is through sealing air leaks. The problem is most of us have no clue how to manage it. We’re here to tell you it isn’t all that difficult to stop the drafts or make your home a little cozier.

Why do it?

Some of the benefits include reduced noise from outside, pollen, dust and insects.

We’re glad you ask. Sealing your home may seem like a lot of time and effort, but the payoff is greater. Some of the benefits include reduced noise from outside, pollen, dust and insects (or pests), and better humidity control. If you’re still wondering how that correlates to you, it can actually take some of the stress off of your HVAC system. It won’t have to work as hard to regulate temperature when your house is sealed from outside influence. It can also provide health benefits. When that Arkansas spring hits and everything is covered in a fine layer of yellow, for the sensitive allergy sufferers, it becomes almost essential to make sure your air is void of pollen. Sealing a window could vastly improve these issues.

How do you find the leaks?

Put an eyeball to it! Look for cracks and crevices. Look at all exterior corners, outdoor water faucets, where siding and chimneys meet, and areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

You can also shine a light at night around suspicious areas of your home such as door ways or windows while a partner stands outside to see if the light comes through. This is a great indicator of air leaks.

Another trick is called the dollar bill trick. Shut a door or window on a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar bill out without it dragging, you're losing energy.

I found a leak! Now what?

Seal it up! Caulking and weatherstripping isn’t necessarily an art form. You can find an easy youtube video below that provides simple tips and tricks to do just that!

Save our team a trip, and give your air conditioner and heater a break. Take the time to seal the air leaks. It saves you time, money, energy, and maybe even a trip to the doctor! Bottom line, it’s worth a little elbow grease.