How To Detect Air Leaks In Attic

This would include looking to see if there are any significant holes in your insulation if you see any cracks around the framing or if there are any holes in your attic s access hatch.

How to detect air leaks in attic. In most homes however the most significant air leaks are hidden in the attic and basement. Light a candle and walk around your house to places that you think may have. These are the leaks that significantly raise your energy bill and make your house uncomfortable. Replace incandescent bulbs with cooler operating compact fluorescent bulbs.

From the attic side of your ceiling find the fixtures you noted. Each of these cutouts is a likely air leak. Most people call these air leaks drafts you may feel these drafts around windows and doors and think these leaks are your major source of wasted energy. Also if you have a chimney look to see if it or the flues have any cracks.

You ll have to pull back existing insulation to find them. For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy audit particularly a blower door test. Replace your old recessed lights with air tight insulated can models available at home centers and lighting stores. A complete energy assessment will also help determine areas in your home that need more insulation.

Leakage on the return side means hot air from your attic is getting sucked into your ductwork. Find smaller leaks with the candle test. Any small crack or gap in the attic can be a source of. Over time that means your system gets unbalanced meaning it s blowing more air into your house than it s taking out.

Turn on your heat or air conditioning system so it s constantly blowing. Never walk on exposed ceiling or insulation as you could potentially fall. Air leaks also commonly occur at the edge of top plates which normally have a small gap of less than an inch between the plates and drywall. Know where common attic air leaks are located.

Climb into your attic. Electrical connections for fixtures fans and outlets require a hole cutout in your ceiling drywall. Start by looking. Choose a day that is cold and windy to complete.

Step only on the joists or lay plywood across the joists to allow you to move safely through your. A blower door test which depressurizes a home can reveal the location of many leaks. Here are the solutions we recommend if you have recessed can lights protruding into your attic. Get your supplies together and have a plan.

Most air leaks can be found around light fixtures plumbing pipes. On a cold day with the heat on inside your home place your hand around the.