It can be amazing how much a little leak can end up costing you in terms of wasted energy. When you have leaks and gaps in your home’s insulation or ductwork, your HVAC system works overtime trying to keep your home cooled. Since heat can seep in through these gaps, it means that areas that were just cooled have to be cooled again. Therefore, it is important to take measures to prevent air leaks around your home and especially within your HVAC system. Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can do to prevent air leaks in your ductwork and elsewhere.
In St. Louis and the surrounding area, your heating & air conditioning professionals at Galmiche & Sons can help. So, if you suspect you may be losing a lot of energy due to leaks, get in touch soon to schedule an inspection.
Prevent Air Leaks Early
It is important to prevent air leaks rather than just responding to them. You can end up losing a lot of energy (and money) to even a hairline crack, especially if you use your air conditioner often or at cooler settings. When it comes to preventing air leaks, you will want to think first about insulation and air seals. Any place where the inside of your home is exposed to outside air — windows, doors, etc. — should be airtight, preventing heat from seeping in. You will also want to check on the insulation, as this is a common cause of air loss issues.
Knowing What to Look For
Perhaps the most common issue is improper attic insulation. You might think attic insulation is primarily for keeping heat in during the winter, but it also plays an important role in keeping heat out all summer. Making sure you have enough insulation in your attic is one good way to prevent air leaks. From there, you might also add insulation in exterior walls.
With windows and doors, you can prevent air leaks by properly caulking the edges around window and door frames. Other common sources of air leakage are chimneys and light fixtures. With a chimney, you want to make sure the flue is closed when it is not in use and that any gaps in both the chimney and flue are sealed. Certain lights are designed to prevent air leaks, and these are labeled “ICAT” which stands for “insulation contact and airtight”. Dealing with these issues before you run into a major air leak problem is a good idea for any homeowner.
Performing Air Leak Tests
If you’re already seeing reduced energy efficiency from air leaks in your home, the first thing to do is determine exactly where the leaks are. You might be able to tell just by investigating yourself, especially if the issue is with one of the problem areas mentioned above. Otherwise, an HVAC company can perform air leak tests in every room to help you determine where exactly the leaks are coming from, and make sure they are well sealed. Similarly, you should get your HVAC service professional to look at your ductwork during any maintenance check to prevent air leaks within the HVAC system itself.
Get Help Preventing Air Leaks in St. Louis
If you would like to find out more about preventing air leaks in your St. Louis area home, give us a call! As leading HVAC experts, we look forward to serving any of your heating & air conditioning needs.
