Seal Air Leaks to Save Energy

You can save energy and probably 10% or more on your energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home. Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter can waste a lot of your energy dollars. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weather-strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside.

First, test your home for air tightness. On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to any location where a possible air path may exist to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need weather-stripping, caulking, or sealing.

Be sure to check the following areas:

• Windows
• Doors
• Dropped ceiling
• Ceiling fixtures, such as recessed lights and ceiling fan
• Electrical outlets, switches, and boxes
• Plumbing fixtures and utility access
• Water heater and furnace flues
• All ducts
• Attic entrance
• Sill plates
• Chimney flashing

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks to Save Energy

• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air.
• Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and soffit over cabinets.
• Install rubber gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.
• Look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicate holes where air leaks into and out of your house. You can seal the holes by stapling sheets of plastic over the holes and caulking the edges of the plastic.
• Install storm windows over single-pane windows or replace them with double pane windows.
• When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed. A chimney is designed specifically for smoke to escape, so until you close it, warm air escapes—24 hours a day!
• For new construction, reduce exterior wall leaks by either installing house wrap, taping the joints of exterior sheathing, or comprehensively caulking and sealing the exterior walls.

More ways to save energy.