Leaks can make your Home less Energy Efficient

Leaks can be one of the worst problems a home can have, when it come wasting energy. Leaks can make your home cold and drafty. Leaks can have you paying too much on your energy bill each month. If your home feels drafty you should go around your home and try and find out where these air leaks are coming in at. 

Feel around your windows and doors to see if these areas are in need of sealing. There are many types of sealing products on the market to help keep your home more energy efficient. You can purchase foam, spray foam, tape, plastic, caulk and other products to seal these areas around your home. All of these items do a good job in helping to insulate your home and make it more comfortable.

The first thing to do is to find out where the air leaks are in your home. Go around to areas such as the windows, doors, vents and registers, baseboards, and check your fireplace. Check other areas like the attic and basement to make sure there is enough insulation in these areas. 

Air leaks can come from many different sources into your home. Weather stripping can help to seal off a drafty door in your home. If applied right, weather stripping will not interfere with the operation of the door and can help your home to be more energy efficient. You can use caulking in other areas of your home to seal up and cracks or openings that may be wasting your energy. Caulking is very affordable and works well to seal up openings in your home.

You should check your home each year for new cracks and places that you can get air leaks. Sometimes weather stripping or caulking can get old and crack or fall off. You will want to go over these areas each year to see if you need to reapply these items. Some people would rather just apply plastic to their windows to keep the drafts out. You can use blinds and heavy drapes over your windows to help keep the cold air out. You should also check the outside of your home and seal up open areas and cracks on your homes exterior. 

READ MORE: #1: "Build Your Own Solar And Wind Power System"

#2:  The Guide to an Energy Efficient Home