Being able to detect air leaks is crucial to knowing how well your home is retaining the hot or cool air coming from the HVAC system. The better your house contains this air, the less your system will have to run, saving you money on your energy bills, and extending the life of your A/C or furnace. A few of the most common problem areas for air leaks are:
- Exterior areas where two different materials meet
- Drywall cutouts on exterior walls
- Doors and windows
Exterior Surfaces
Places such as the seam between a chimney and your siding, or the area surrounding a water faucet, can leak indoor air, especially if you live in an older home. The most common way to fix this problem is to use exterior caulk to re-seal any cracks, or close any gaps that may have formed over time.
Drywall Cutouts
The areas in your home’s drywall that need cutout include electrical outlets, light switches, cable hookups, phone lines, etc. Air leaks can occur even if you have a cover over cutout. Make sure that the plate is tightly secured to the metal casing in the wall, leaving as little space as possible between the drywall and the plate. Consider adding a small strip of clear tape to the edges of your outlet if there is a considerable amount of air flow around them.
Doors and Windows
Older doors and windows are very susceptible to leaking. Usually this is most noticeable on cold days when you might think the furnace cannot keep up. Weatherstripping and caulking windows can help prevent air leaks, as well as installing new energy-efficient, double-paned windows. Doors should properly fit in your door frame, with just a small amount of floor clearance.
If you are interested in learning more about how to detect air leaks, or if you have any other questions about keeping your home comfortable, call the experts at Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. We have been servicing the Los Angeles area since 1967 and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air leaks and other HVAC topics, downloadour free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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