If you are noticing that certain areas of your home seem draftier than others, then you’re experiencing air leaks. These not only waste money, they make your air conditioner and heater have to work that much harder to keep you comfortable. This results in higher energy bills, of course, and also increases wear and tear on your HVAC system. If you’re wondering how to find air leaks in your home, you’ve come to the right place.

The Usual Suspects

It can be extremely hard to determine how to find air leaks in your home, because oftentimes they are hidden under insulation. These are just a few of the more common areas where these leaks occur:

  • Your attic hatch
  • Holes cut for wiring
  • Plumbing vents
  • Recessed lights
  • The furnace flue
  • Doors and windows

The areas where your foundation meets wood framing, also known as the basement rim joists, are especially prone to air leaks. If you have an unfinished basement, however, this type of leak can typically be fixed very easily by a professional. In regard to leaks around your windows and doors, you could easily apply caulk and weather-stripping yourself.

Hard-to-Find Leaks

If you see cracks of light under your door or feel drafts around your windows, those are, of course, the more obvious sources of air leaks. But if you seal them and you’re still having an issue, by doing a little detective work you can find the culprits. Here’s what to do:

  • Wait until it’s windy outside and shut off your air conditioner.
  • Close all of your doors and windows.
  • Turn on your stove vents and bath fans.
  • Light incense and walk around your home. Pass it along the edges of your windows and doors. When you see smoke from the incense being sucked either out of your home or into it, there’s your leak.

If you have any questions regarding how to find an air leak, get in touch with the experts with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove. Give us a call at (847) 744-9447 or contact us online.

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove provides HVAC services for the cities of Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Chicago, and other cities in Illinois.