When you stop to think about how much your HVAC system is in use – it’s not surprising that your heating and cooling bill equate to such a large portion of your household costs. And as prices continue to rise, homeowners are keener than ever to keep their home and household systems as efficient as possible to help reduce those expenses. Air leaks are a common culprit for preventing both efficiency and comfort at home, and without proper seals and insulation, your HVAC unit must keep running in order to try and maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. But by taking steps to ensure that your home is properly insulated and sealed, you can keep the cool air inside and prevent hot air from coming inside.

Here are some steps that you can take to stop air leaks in the summer.

Check for Air Leaks

Spring is the perfect time of year to figure out if your home has any major air leaks that are causing your A/C unit to work harder and waste energy and money. To help get the most bang for your buck, you need to check your home for air leaks.

One of the easiest ways to that is by having your home evaluated by a professional HVAC technician. However, there is a way to attempt and identify air leaks on your own. You can use an incense stick and use the smoke to assist you in locating any drafts. Bring the stick along with you throughout your home and place it close to areas that you think might be causing this. Common areas that are prone to air leaks are around window frames, doors, attics, and any noticeable small hole or cracks. If you notice that the incense smoke begins to blow in an obvious direction then this will indicate your leak.

Ways to Repair Air Leaks

Insulate Around Recessed Lights

Recessed lights are one of the most common culprits for causing drafts and leaks since they have vents that lead into the attic – the most common spot for drafts. So each of your lights in combination could really be impacting your level of comfort. Lights that have the ICAT label mean that they are sufficiently sealed, but lights that don’t have this label are where you should focus your attention. All you need is to push an airtight baffle up into the light unit after removing the bulb.

Weatherstrip Your Home

Weather-stripping is also a great method for adding that airtight seal along openings, cracks and also the attic. This can be applied along the attic door to prevent air from escaping through the hatch.

Window Repair or Replacement

As you place your incense stick close to your windows, do you notice the smoke flickering incessantly? Well, your windows could be the problem. Old, weathered windows can easily allow hot and cooler temperatures outside to permeate through the glass and cracks along the frame. Window repairs or a replacement could be necessary. Newer models are energy efficient and can prevent air from entering and escaping.

Take advantage of the spring weather to assess your home for air leaks. If your windows are old and edging towards the end of their lifespan, it could be worth your time and money to have them assessed by a professional window technician to determine if a repair or replacement is necessary. Contact us at M&T Glass and we can take care of all of your window-related needs.