The days are getting longer and hotter in North Central Florida. This means that most homes in our area are lowering their air conditioning temperatures to cool the inside of their homes. Because we know you would like to save money on your energy bills, we are here to give you some tips about how to prevent air conditioning from leaking outside your home. It is fairly inexpensive to do and saves you money in the long run.
Air Leaks: How Do They Occur?
All homes need regular maintenance and repairs over the years. Caulking is one area that needs to be maintained regularly. Applying some new caulking on your windows to seal any cracks can go a long way in weatherizing your home. This prevents your cool air from escaping through those cracks. Additionally, it can prevent moisture, water, and insects from coming into your home from those areas. Weather stripping is another area that can affect your energy bills. Homeowners should replace the weather stripping on exterior doors every 1-2 years. Normal use of exterior doors can wear the weather stripping over time and cause air to leak to the outside.
Department of Energy (energy.gov) Caulking windows. See how you can caulk a window yourself. Click on the picture above.
Air leaks can also come from:
- Phones lines, TV cables, and internet wiring
- improperly sealed windows on doors
- attic accesses
- piping that goes from the interior to the exterior of your home
- dryer vents
- and cracks in walls and ceilings
just to name a few.
Testing For Air Leaks
Hiring a professional service like Akins Heating and Air can be the fastest and most efficient way to find where your leaks can be coming from. A blower door test can help us precisely locate leaks and other inefficiencies in your home. There are also some “do it yourself” methods that may take some more time and can help you find some of the leaks in your home.
- One way to easily detect air leaks is to see if light is coming through any cracks. This method is most effective on exterior doors. To check, darken the interior of you home during daylight hours. You should see little to no light coming through around your door. If you do see light, this indicates a crack where air can leak out. You can use a similar method to find cracks at the seams of windows. At night time, shine a flashlight through the seams. Have a friend or family member stand outside of the home to check if light comes through any cracks in the seams of the windows. If you can see light coming through, those cracks need to be sealed.
- In addition, the incense method can help you find cracks or drafts in your home. Light the incense stick and keep it near places where you believe a leak may be. If there is a leak, you will be able to see the smoke from the incense stick being sucked to the area of the leak.
The Benefits of Sealing Leaks
Therefore, by sealing leaks you can prevent your air conditioning from leaking outside your home this summer. As the temperatures begin to rise in Florida, homeowners will heavily utilize their air conditioning systems. Make sure your home and HVAC system are not being inefficient due to air leaks around your home. Keep the cool air within your home and save money on your energy bills.
If you would like more information about how we can help you make your home more energy efficient with a blower door test, give us a call at (352) 463-2380. You can also contact us through our online form. Akins Heating and Air is here to serve you!
