Interested in our EV Charging Pilot Program? Click here.
Your home could be leaking money. Okay, it’s not leaking not actual money, but when heated or cooled air leaves your home, that costs you money.
Air leakage is responsible for up to 40 percent of the energy loss in American homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Detecting drafts — and sealing them — can help lower heating and cooling costs.
Air leaks are commonly found around door and window frames, electrical outlets, switch plates, recessed lights, attic hatches, wall or window-mounted air conditioners, fireplaces and any opening where pipes or cables enter the home.
Use one of these simple do-it-yourself methods to look for leaks inside your home:
- Visual inspection: If you can see any daylight around exterior door frames or windows rattle easily, you likely have air leaks.
- Feel for drafts: When it’s cold outside, close and turn off sources of moving air. Gently hold a dampened hand around the edges of potential leak sites. Any drafts will feel cool to your hand.
- Dollar bill test: Test each window and door by closing it on a dollar bill, then try to pull the money out. If the bill easily slips out, it’s a sign that there’s a significant gap and air leakage is likely.
- Smoke test: On a cool, windy day, turn off appliances that cause wind disturbances and shut windows, doors and fireplace flues. Carefully pass a lit incense stick around the edges of common leak sites. Wherever the smoke wavers or is sucked out of or blown into the room, there's a draft.
Find directions for simple projects to seal detected leaks at togetherwesaveky.com/energy-tips.