How To Detect & Fix Drafts in Your San Antonio Home Before Winter
With winter just around the corner, it’s important to detect and resolve drafts in your home. Drafts are unwelcome cold spots that sneak into your home through tiny gaps and cracks, making your living spaces uncomfortable and your heating bills skyrocket. The good news is that drafts are both detectable and preventable.
Here, Comfort-Air Engineering and Primo Plumbing, Inc. explains how you can detect and fix drafts and keep your San Antonio home warm and energy-efficient all winter.
Common Signs of Drafts in Your Home
Drafts can be subtle while still impacting the comfort and efficiency of your home. Knowing what to look for is the first step in preventing heat loss and keeping your home warm. Here are some of the most common signs of drafts:
- Cold spots near windows and doors: If you feel chilly areas or notice temperature differences around windows and doors, there’s likely an air leak.
- Visible gaps and cracks: Small openings around windows, doors, or baseboards indicate that air could be slipping in and out of your home.
- Curtains or blinds moving slightly: Even with no noticeable breeze, if you see your curtains or blinds moving, it could be due to a hidden draft.
- Inexplicably cold floors or walls: Chilly rooms, especially near walls or floors, might have undetected drafts, allowing cold air inside.
- Increased energy bills: Sudden spikes in your energy bills, especially during winter, may indicate that your heating system is working harder due to air leaks.
How To Detect Drafts: DIY Methods
Detecting drafts doesn’t require specialized tools, and with a few simple tests, you can identify where cold air is entering your home. Here are three DIY methods to help you find air leaks:
- Flashlight test: When it’s dark outside, turn off the lights in your home. Then, have one person shine a flashlight along the edges of windows or doors from the outside while another observes inside. If the light is getting through, air can, too.
- Smoke test: Light an incense stick and move it along potential draft spots. If the smoke blows sideways, there’s likely a draft in that area.
- Thermal detector: For a more advanced option, use a thermal detector to scan for cold spots. This device can reveal temperature differences, pinpointing exactly where drafts are.
How To Fix Drafts: Effective Solutions
Once you’ve identified the sources of drafts, it’s time to seal them. Here are some effective solutions for stopping drafts in common areas:
- Windows: Use weatherstripping tape or caulking to seal small gaps around window frames. For larger drafts, consider installing storm windows.
- Doors: Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to block drafts. Weatherstripping around the door frame can also help reduce air leaks.
- Cracks and gaps: Fill small cracks or gaps in walls and floors with caulking or foam sealant. These materials effectively block drafts in hard-to-reach areas.
- Chimneys: Use a chimney balloon or draft stopper to seal off the chimney when it’s not in use, preventing warm air from escaping.
- Ductwork: Have any visible ductwork inspected and sealed. Insulating ductwork can also improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce drafts.
DIY vs. Professional Help: When To Call a Pro
While minor drafts can often be handled with DIY solutions, more extensive air leaks or difficult-to-access areas may require professional assistance. DIY fixes can be great for quick and easy adjustments but may not provide a long-lasting solution.
For larger drafts or to ensure all potential sources of heat loss are properly sealed, calling a professional is best. Professional HVAC and home energy experts have the tools and expertise to address air leaks throughout your home, keeping your energy bills low and your comfort high.
The Benefits of Fixing Drafts Before Winter
Sealing drafts offers many advantages beyond simply keeping your home warm. Winterizing your home by tackling drafts before the cold weather arrives helps your home stay energy-efficient and comfortable, resulting in:
- Lower heating bills: By reducing air leaks, your heating system won’t have to work as hard, saving you money on energy and making your home more environmentally friendly.
- Improved comfort: Sealing drafts prevents cold air from sneaking in, ensuring a warm, comfortable home in every room.
- Extended HVAC system life: With fewer drafts, your heating system runs more efficiently.
Schedule Service Today
Comfort-Air Engineering offers expert services to help you detect and fix drafts before winter. Our team can assess your home’s HVAC needs, including heating maintenance and repairs that address energy efficiency and improve indoor comfort. Proper HVAC maintenance is essential for a warm and energy-efficient home, and our technicians are ready to help you tackle cold air drafts with effective solutions.
Ready to prepare your home for winter? Call our team today or request an appointment online.
