Checking Your Home for Air Leaks
Air leaks in your home can have many sources, including a crack in the foundation, a hole in the attic or a door that doesn’t sit quite right against the jamb. While these leaks are certainly a kind of natural ventilation, they aren’t ideal. You probably heated or cooled that escaping air at great expense, and these leaks just make your cooling or heating system work harder.
Where Are Air Leaks in a Home Most Common?
Gilmore Heating Air and Plumbing has been helping customers throughout the Greater Sacramento area achieve proper ventilation since 1979. We’ve found that many people believe windows and doors are the main culprits when it comes to air leaks. Statistically, however, the worst culprits are floors, walls, and ceilings. The next-worst offender is the ductwork.
Ductwork and Air Leaks
Inspecting, maintaining and cleaning your air ducts is important. It helps to keep your energy efficiency high and your indoor air pollution low. Energy Star estimates that about 20 percent of the air that moves through average ductwork is lost due to leaks. Leaks can be caused by shoddy installation but can also manifest over time due to wear and tear.
How Do You Check for Air Leaks in a Home?
The best way to check for air leaks in a home is to schedule a professional home energy audit. This will include a comprehensive examination of problem areas: floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents and more. If you’d like to conduct your own testing, a common way to do this is to burn incense after having shut down the heating and cooling system as well as any independent fans, exhausts and so forth. Note the spots that cause the smoke to drift.
Eliminate Air Leaks from Your Home
Gilmore Heating Air and Plumbing in Placerville would like to help make your home airtight and more energy-efficient. We can also discuss ways to achieve proper ventilation that won’t bloat your utility bill.
Our company offers a complete range of other services related to heating, air conditioning, electrical issues and plumbing. Contact us today to ask any questions or to schedule an appointment.
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