Everyone wants their home to be comfy and cozy, especially in the colder months. Sadly, many homes lose that feeling when warm indoor temperatures become difficult to maintain. Not only does cranking up the temperature reduce the energy efficiency of a home, energy bills quickly skyrocket. Consequently, an inefficient home is quite costly to maintain.
Through prevention and the detection of drafts and air leaks…
your Hamilton NJ home can enjoy a higher level of energy efficiency. Also, you will improve the comfort of your home all year round. So, if you are wondering “what is air sealing?”, then keep reading. In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to find drafts and air leaks.
Air Leak Prevention Tips And Tricks
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The old adage of a small amount of prevention is worth a pound of cure definitely is true. It certainly applies when it comes to preventing a drafty home. The first step to prevent air leaks in your home involves a little digging. By knowing where the most common air leaks occur, you can find the biggest energy drains in your own home.
Start Smart
Begin with the areas that are ultimately the largest and most expensive culprits to energy loss.
Start with the attic to ensure it has proper insulation. Search for any noticeable cracks or gaps. If found, fill with squirt foam. Next, move into the basement. From here, locate any cracks, even if they are hair-thin. By locating and sealing these basement cracks, consequently, you can prevent the cold air from invading the upper bedrooms and upper levels of the home. Keep in mind, that in larger homes, there usually are several small leaks. These leaks can add up to a large price tag over time.
Running Air Leak Tests Room To Room
Hiring a contractor with advanced air leak detector tools is always a good option. They can locate any problem areas that you have and offer suggestions towards improving the energy efficiency of your home.
However, there are some simple air sealing techniques that homeowners can do themselves. After a home’s attic and basement are free from air leaks, go room to room. Inspect the areas where leaks are most likely to occur. This includes cracks along doorways and window frames.
Knowing The Common Culprits
Recessed lights are cited as one of the leading causes of air leaks. However, one of two steps can easily prevent this:
- purchase lights labeled with ‘ICAT’ (insulation contact and air tight)
- seal existing lights by adding an airtight baffle
The second option is an inexpensive, quick, and easy fix. You can plug open-stud cavities in the walls with insulation-stuffed garbage bags. This is instrumental in stopping air flow. Also, don’t forget to close off any gaps surrounding chimneys and flues. Properly caulk the edges around windows and door frames. This also helps prevent small leaks from making a big impact over time. Homeowners may not realize how much their furnace has to compensate to make up for air leaks. By covering up the drafts and air leaks in your home, you will notice a significant difference in your home heating costs. Your heater won’t have to work as hard, reducing the stress that you place on it and, by default, extending its lifespan.
Air Leaks Hamilton NJ
Home maintenance can feel like a drain on both time and finances. However, staying on top of potential issues is a proactive way of minimizing the emergence of larger home issues in the future. When armed with the appropriate knowledge, such as the common locations of air leaks, homeowners can protect themselves. It allows them to prevent many of the air leaks that lead to an inefficient home.
Not only does air leak prevention enhance the energy efficiency of a home, but a heating system tune-up does as well. Your heater requires annual maintenance in order for it to keep your home nice and warm throughout the winter. It also helps reduce your monthly energy costs because your heater does not have to work as hard. Be sure to contact PFO Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment. Our NATE certified HVAC contractors can enhance your system’s performance and make suggestions towards improving the energy use of your home. Click here to learn all of the services that we can do for you.
Some of the areas we service include: Allentown, Hamilton, Princeton, Trenton, and these zip codes: 08501, 08619, 08540, 08601 as well as all surrounding areas in Mercer County, New Jersey.
Contact us now at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!