3 Tips to Find Drafts in Your Home

One of the problems that can decrease HVAC efficiency at your Tinley Park, IL, home is an air leak. Whether you’re feeling a draft in one of the rooms or your energy bills are steadily increasing, it’s smart to take a closer look at where the air may be leaking out and fix it. Here are some tips to locate drafts and eliminate them for good:

Find Drafts By Starting With the Most Susceptible Areas

Certain areas of your home are more susceptible to air leaks. Windows and doors can certainly be culprits. Leaks are also more likely to develop in areas like basements and attics. Feel for airflow around the:

• Attic hatch.
• Plumbing vents.
• Wiring holes for electrical outlets.
• Phone lines or cable wires.
• Furnace ducts and flues.
• Recessed lighting.

You may also notice drafts coming from the knee walls or walls that support the rafters in the attic.

Find Drafts By Performing a DIY Smoke Test

If you can feel a draft but aren’t sure where it’s coming from, here’s a foolproof way to figure it out: a DIY smoke test.

Start by turning off the stove and any other appliances in your home that can cause a disturbance in the air. The next step is to close all windows, fireplace flues and doors. You can then light a stick of incense and hold it up near where you suspect there might be a draft. If the smoke starts moving erratically, it’s likely that there’s a draft nearby.

Find Drafts By Scheduling a Home Energy Audit

Leaks and drafts decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system. When it’s cold outside, the chilly air will also cause you to feel uncomfortable.

When you find a leak, you can take steps to seal the drafty areas by using caulking and insulation materials. One of our professional HVAC service technicians can also perform a home energy audit to figure out what’s causing the decreased efficiency.

Schedule an energy audit or another HVAC service for your home’s heating or cooling system by calling Climate Master Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Our service technicians look forward to helping you improve your comfort and lower your energy bills.

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