Most adults are in touch with their “inner child,” and many are known to release theirs when a heating system service technician recommends that they should identify and plug leaks and then insulate their home to prepare for the colder days ahead. In fact, this one-two punch is the second most important step all homeowners can undertake at this time of year, right behind scheduling an annual heating system tune-up.
On face value, plugging air leaks and insulating sounds a little like an unwelcome homework assignment. But if you enjoyed a high-spirited game of hide-and-seek as a child, you might find some winning parallels with this home improvement project.
The fact is, plugging air leaks and insulating is a great time investment, for unchecked air constantly escapes through your home's “envelope,” or the walls, windows, doors and other openings that lead outdoors.
If your home is like most others in the United States, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 20 percent of the warm air you regularly pay for seeps right back outdoors – and that's a conservative estimate.
Put another way: “If you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home's envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year,” the department says.
If this analogy has sent a chill up your spine, warm up to the other benefits of plugging leaks and insulating your home:
Before you get started, remember that like all “homework” assignments, help is right around the corner. For example, you might enjoy detecting leaks but need help repairing them. Or you might prefer leaving the entire matter of insulation to a heating system service company.
The bigger point is indisputable: you will keep your heating bills in check and enjoy better indoor comfort when you seal your “envelope,” no matter how you choose to approach the two tasks.
Wait for a somewhat breezy day to give you the best chance at isolating the air leaks in your home. Close your doors and windows and turn off all the exhaust fans. You don't need any expensive tools; a feather, long-stemmed lighter or a smoke pen will do nicely.
Although you're likely to find many air leaks in your basement and attic, be sure to check all the other trouble spots in your home:
Once you've finished your indoor “sweep,” turn your attention to the exterior of your home, and especially areas where two different building materials abut one another and:
Most of these trouble spots can be repaired with caulk (or weather stripping). Gaping holes should be filled with insulation before being caulked.
If you suspect that your home is leaking more air than you can identify on your own, consider scheduling an indoor air assessment with a heating system service company like Experts In Your Home. This is a more scientific process that involves more stringent testing techniques – and is virtually guaranteed to pinpoint even the tiniest of leaks.
Properly insulating your home is a process, but a few pointers should make it infinitely simpler and easier:
At some point during this process, you might find yourself groaning. You might even roll your eyes. But with a heating system service company like Experts In Your Home at your side, plugging leaks and insulating your home is one “homework assignment” that you will learn great lessons from – probably just as soon as you get your first “report card” in the form of your next energy bill.