How Do I Find Drafts In My House?
Once the weather begins to cool down and it’s time to turn on your furnace, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not losing your home’s heat through drafts. Not only will this wasted energy affect your comfort levels all winter, but it can also lead to higher energy bills. If you want to find out whether your home is losing heat and detect the source, read on for tips on how to find drafts in your house.
What To Do If You Feel A Draft In Your House
If your furnace is set to a comfortable temperature and you know that it’s working properly, the next step is to look for drafts in your house. Start in the rooms that feel chilly and work your way around the house.
Check some of these areas, which are most commonly found to be culprits for drafts:
- Windows and entry doors
- Electrical outlets
- Switchplates
- Baseboards
- Fireplace dampers
- Attic hatches
- Wall or window-mounted air conditioners
- Cable TV and phone lines
- Vents and fans
How Do I Check For Drafts?
There are a few ways that you can check for drafts throughout your home:
Flashlight Test
If you suspect a leak by a door or window, grab a flashlight and shine it at night. If someone can see the light on the other side, you may have a leak.
Incense Test
Turn off your furnace for a few minutes and light a stick of incense near windows and doors to see if the smoke blows sideways. If it does, you’ve got a leak.
Money Test
If you can easily slide a piece of paper money under an exterior door, you most likely have an air leak.
Use A Thermal Leak Detector
Using a thermal leak detector from a hardware store, you can easily read temperatures anywhere in your home. If you see a significant drop around areas where you suspect a draft, then your hunch was right.
How Can I Get Rid of Drafts In My House?
Once you find out where you’re losing heat in your home, the next step is to fix the problem. In some cases, you may have insulation issues and will want to connect with a contractor who can help.
If Your Drafts Are Coming From An Entry Door:
An adjustable threshold at the foot of your exterior door can be lifted and lowered throughout the year as your home expands and contracts. You may need to adjust it, or retrofit your existing door with this upgrade to help fix the problem.
If Your Drafts Are Coming From Windows:
Your windows may be outdated and in need of replacing. Since the problem could be with the weather stripping, glazing, or something irreparable, it’s best to bring in a professional to get an expert opinion.
At Bavarian Window Works, we sell energy-efficient windows and doors and can work with any budget. Contact us if you’re experiencing drafts in your home and our team will be happy to help.