Residents of Sarasota and Bradenton can save money by ensuring there are no air leaks in their homes.
Air leaks vent your heated or cooled air outside, wasting money. Leaks also allow cold or hot outdoor air to enter your comfortable climate controlled home, wasting energy by causing your heating and air conditioning systems to work harder.
How can you test your home for air tightness and find leaks? Here’s how.
The best time to test is on a windy day. Using a lit incense stick, walk around your house, carefully holding the smoking incense stick near windows and doors. If the smoke travels in a horizontal stream, it means you have located a leak. Be sure to check less obvious sources of air leaks such as plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures like chandeliers, and attic hatches.
Depending upon the location leaks may be remedied with caulk, weather stripping or sealing. For instance, doors and windows are usually sealed with weather stripping and/or caulking. Electrical outlets and plumbing are generally sealed with sealant or caulking.