Air leakage in your house is a real problem that you should not ignore. Ignoring it can result in too much air loss during the months you're trying to regulate your indoor climate, resulting in expensive heating and cooling bills.

When you don't control the airflow in your house, it also leads to poor indoor air quality.  Air leakage contributes to moisture problems, which affects the health of residents and compromises the house structure.

Know where to look.

External areas you should check for air leaks.

• Corners
• Water faucets
• Where siding and chimneys meet
• Where the foundation and bottom of brick or siding meet

Internal areas you should check for air leaks.

• Electrical outlets and switch plates
• Door and window frames
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Baseboards
• Weatherstripping around doors
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall or window-mounted air conditioners
• Internet, cable TV, and phone lines
• Vents, ducts, and fans

Feel It Or See It

Look for gaps around any place where two surfaces meet or where there are pipes or wires. Check doors and windows. If you can see daylight around a door or window, that's a source of an air leak. 

Run your palm over places like door frames and windows. If there's a leak, you should be able to feel it. (Sometimes, using a wet hand makes it easier to sense a draft.)

Look for broken storm windows. If you can rattle a window, then it's likely that you have air leaking out. 

For doors and windows, you can also use the dollar bill test. Shut the door or window onto a dollar bill and try to pull it out. If it doesn't drag, then you've found a source of air loss.

Don't forget about those skylights. Checking your skylight takes climbing up on the roof to look around. You're looking for open seams between flashing or shingles, shingle debris that allows water to collect on the roof, and failed or cracked patches of roofing cement from any previous repairs.

We’ve prepared a simple guide to help you detect sources of air loss, repair them, and how to protect your home against further climate control damage. Improving your home’s energy efficiency not only increases your home’s value but helps you live more comfortably.

Read the guide to find more ways you can detect sources of airflow loss in your home and what you can do about it. Discover DIY repairs you can do without a professional and how to get the most out of your investment when you do need to call a professional.

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Eric | Indestructible Shoes 16192 Costal Highway Lewes, Delaware 19958