Winter is coming, and with it the promise of yet another stretch of cold Oklahoma weather. So what is a homeowner to do when they feel as though their furnace isn't heating their home as well as it should? There's increasing the amount and quality of insulation, for starters. But homes can lose heat in a number of ways without us even realizing it. One of those sources of heat loss is air leaks.Detecting air leaks can go a long way toward improving your home's energy efficiency. There are well-known ways for air to leak, of course, such as under-door drafts. But air leaks occur in many other places than that. There are steps you can take in detecting air leaks yourself:Conduct a visual inspection outside your home. Keep an eye out for gaps or cracks in any of the following areas:
Outdoor water faucets
Where the siding or brickwork and foundation meet
The area where the siding and chimney meet
Exterior corners
Then take a look around your home's interior, again watching for gaps and cracks in the following:
Window and door frames
Air conditioners mounted in walls or windows
Baseboards
Switch plates
Electrical outlets
The area where your dryer vent meets the wall
Fans and vents
Weather stripping around doors
Areas where cable and phone lines enter the house
Pay special attention to windows. If storm windows rattle, there are possible air leaks. Air leaks are also possible if light can be seen coming through around the frame. Check the condition of caulking and weather stripping both inside and outside, and repair if necessary. Check, too, to be sure that all doors seal properly.Detecting air leaks can take time, but it is time well spent. Sealing these leaks can go a long way toward increasing your comfort as well as lowering your energy bills in both winter and summer.Since 1985, Air Assurance has been making sure customers in the Broken Arrow and Tulsa area are more comfortable in their homes. If you have questions about air leaks or any other HVAC concerns, please contact us.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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