Find Air Leaks and Draft Proof Your Home

Many people do not realize that their home has air leaks, and as a result, your furnace has to work harder and more often to keep your home warm.

The following are tips on locations to inspect to find potential air leaks;

On the outside of your home, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• All exterior corners

• Outdoor water faucets

• Where siding and chimneys meet

• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

Inside your home, inspect around the following areas for any cracks and gaps that could cause air leaks:

• Electrical outlets

• Switch plates

• Door and window frames

• Electrical and gas service entrances

• Baseboards

• Weather stripping around doors

• Fireplace dampers

• Attic hatches

• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

• Cable TV and phone lines

• Where dryer vents pass through walls

• Vents and fans.

When you locate a source of a potential air leak, caulking is a great way to stop drafts to reduce your overall energy consumption in your home.