Check Windows and Doors for Air Leaks
The U.S. Department of energy provides the following steps to check your home for air leakage:
- Turn off your furnace on a cool, very windy day
- Shut all windows and doors
- Turn on all exhaust fans that blow air outside, such as bathroom or stove vents
- Light an incense stick and pass it around the edges of common leak sites.
Wherever the smoke is sucked out of or blown into the room, there is a draft
Use Weatherstripping to Stop Air Leaks
After you have identified air leaks, use weatherstripping to seal the gaps. There are several types of weatherstripping available depending on the level of desired durability and cost:
- Foam – inexpensive and easy to apply, must be compressed to effectively seal air leaks; not particularly durable in high-traffic areas
- Vinyl rubber – slightly more expensive than foam, but with a better seal; withstands moisture better than foam
- Bronze or aluminum – extremely durable, but more expensive
- Magnetic – used on doors as an extremely effective sea
Weatherstripping should typically be applied in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Some adhesive type weatherstripping should be applied only when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Outlets and light switches on exterior walls can also be a source of air leakage. Most hardware stores sell foam inserts that can be placed behind the outlet or switch plate to provide some protection against air leakage.
Don’t forget to caulk and seal outside around doors, windows, outdoor faucets and outlets.
Assess your Home’s Ventilation Needs
It is important that your home receive some ventilation, either through the natural inflow of air through cracks, small holes, vents, etc. or through a home ventilation system. Most older homes provide sufficient natural ventilation. However, if you have a newer home, or if you have renovated an older home and have an exceptionally tightly sealed home, you may need to install a fan or other ventiation system to provide proper air flow in your home. The U.S. Department of Energy has resources available to assess your home’s ventilation needs at this website.
Fall Maintenance Checklist
- Check batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check your furnace filter monthly
- Schedule a furnace checkup and cleaning
- Vacuum dust from baseboard heaters, duct vents, and cold-air return vents
- Check outdoor exhaust vents for bathroom fans, kitchen fans, furnace, and hot water heater to be sure they are clear of obstruction
- Clean your gutters
- Paint exposed wood surfaces to prevent water damage
- Prune trees and bushes after leaves drop
- Replace window screens with storm windows; lock windows to ensure a tight seal
- Remove or cover window air conditioning units
- Verify there is no standing water in central air-conditioning units; central air conditioning units do not have to be covered
- Disconnect and store outdoor hoses
- Winterize landscaping, store outdoor furniture, protect young trees or bushes
Sources:
HouseLogic.com, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy
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