Air Leaks
More than any other time of year, you notice your home's air
leaks in the winter. 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.
In most homes, however, the most significant air leaks are
hidden in the attic and basement. These are the leaks that
significantly raise your energy bill and make your house
uncomfortable. In cold weather, warm air rises in your house,
just like it does in a chimney. This air, which you have paid
to heat, is just wasted as it rises up into your attic and
sucks cold air in all around your home - around windows,
doors, and through holes into the basement. The illustration
above shows warm air leaving (red arrows) the house through
the attic and cold air (blue arrows) being pulled into the
house. Locating these leaks can be difficult because they are
often hidden under your insulation. That is why it is a great
idea to hire an energy auditor who is familiar with building
science, and one who is using a blower door and infrared in
their surveys. |
