Cooperative Living August 2020 - 28

EnergySense | by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen, Contributing Writers
Electrical outlets
on outside walls
are a common
source of air leaks
and are easily
patched.
Some of the most common areas for air leaks
may not be where you think they are.
Use caulk to seal gaps
around non-moving parts
of doors and windows.
Sealing Air Leaks, Step by Step
Blocking escape routes can yield savings and comfort
Dear Pat and Brad: I love my
older home, but it's drafty and
uncomfortable at times. What
can I do to reduce drafts that
won't cost me an arm and a leg?
- Chris
ere are three steps to get you
started. Keep in mind, there's
much more to learn about sealing
your home than we can cover in this
article, so consider researching trusted
websites for additional tips and tutorials.
STEP 1:
FIND THE CULPRITS
The first step is a thorough visual
search of the interior and exterior of
the home. Look for gaps and holes in
exterior walls, flooring and the ceiling.
These will often occur where different
building materials meet, such as at
the top of cement foundation walls or
around windows and doors. Another
common source of air leaks is where
pipes or wiring penetrate a wall, floor
or ceiling. Ductwork located in unheated
crawl spaces or attics can also produce
air leaks.
Exterior doors and windows that
open deserve your attention. Open
each door or window and place a dollar
26 | Cooperative Living | August 2020
H
Dear Chris: This is a common problem, particularly in older
homes. In many homes, about half of the conditioned air leaks
to the outside every hour. The good news is that you can seal air
leaks on your own with a little time and effort if you don't want
to spend a lot of money or if you're hesitant to invite contractors
into your home right now.
bill between the door or window sash
and the frame. If you can pull the bill
out easily when the door or window
is closed again, the seal is not tight
enough. Also, a window that rattles
when it's closed or when it's windy
probably isn't sealed sufficiently.
The best way to find all air leaks is
to hire an energy auditor to do a blower
door test. The auditor mounts a large
fan in a doorway to depressurize the
house. That makes it easier to find leaks
and identify ways to seal them.
It's also possible to conduct your
own whole-home pressure test. Go
to energy.gov and search for " detectingair-leaks. "
STEP
2:
NEEDED MATERIALS
Here's a quick list of materials to
get you started:
Caulk: You'll need a caulk gun ($4-plus)
and caulk ($4 to $10). We recommend
indoor/outdoor waterproof silicone or
latex caulk that is water-soluble until
it cures and is paintable when dry.
Expanding spray foam: One can typically
costs $4 to $6. This is an effective way
to plug leaks, but keep in mind that it's
a messy job.
Weatherstripping: Prices vary depending
on type and length of the materials. But a
wide variety of weatherstripping options
made of vinyl, metal and felt, or open-cell
foam can work for most situations.
Pre-cut foam socket sealers: You can
typically purchase a pack of 24 sealers
for about $3.
Chimney balloon plug: Prices range
from $50 to $90. You might need a
chimney balloon plug if your chimney flue
doesn't seal well. Buy a square or round
one to match the shape of your flue.
Adhesive plastic window-insulation
sheets: Prices range from $2 to $14,
depending on size. You might need
insulation sheets later in the year for
windows that can't be sealed and don't
have storm windows.
co-opliving.com
GRAPHIC COURTESY OF ENERGY STAR
PHOTO BY MARCELA GARA, RESOURCE MEDIA
http://www.energy.gov http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living August 2020

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