If your home has central air conditioning, you know the importance of preventing hot air from entering your home in the summer months. In order for your A/C to function most efficiently, your home needs to be relatively free of air leaks. This is because any hot air that enters your home requires your A/C unit to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature.

Common Air Leak Areas

While every home is different, there are a handful of areas that tend to leak air in most homes. Some of the most common examples include:

  • Windows and Doors
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer Vent
  • Kitchen Exhaust Vent

Basically, anywhere there's an opening to the outdoors poses a potential air leak. If you feel that your home may not be making the most efficient use of your air conditioning, the best first step to take is to schedule an appointment to test your home for airtightness. An HVAC technician will be able to assess how efficient your airflow is and identify any problem areas. From there, a technician can determine what steps should be taken to help you get the most out of your home's HVAC system.

How to Prevent Air Leaks in Your Home

Of course, there's no completely fool-proof way to make your home entirely airtight, but by addressing some of the most common problem areas, you can cut down on wasted energy. Here's a list of some techniques you can try to improve the efficiency of the climate control in your home:

  • Make sure that the caulk and weather stripping on your windows and doors is in good shape
  • Gaps around chimney flues can be filled with heat-resistant materials, such as aluminum flashing
  • Seal any gaps where plumbing, ductwork, or electrical comes through the walls
  • Choose exhaust vent covers that allow air to flow out, but not in

Inspect Your Insulation

Aside from leak areas, the other major factor in climate control efficiency is insulation. If you haven't had your attic inspected for inadequate insulation and venting, it may be a good idea to have a professional take a look at the condition of your attic's airtightness. It's important for attics to be vented properly in order to prevent mold, but airflow should be controlled in such a way to prevent major drafts from occurring. If you have an attic access door, it may be a good idea to make sure it's sealed off properly because those are often left without any insulation—making them common sources of heat leakage.

Don't let you're A/C bill rise higher than it needs to this summer. By sealing any leaks in your home, you can prevent hot air from entering. That way, your A/C unit doesn't need to work as hard to maintain a consistent temperature.