Without having the high operating costs attached with summer fast approaching, you want to ensure your home is comfortable indoors. Though there are few that realize it, a home that is improperly sealed makes a significant impact on the HVAC system’s efficiency, and is one of the biggest culprits to do so. In homes that are not properly sealed, there is a lot of wasted energy causing cool air to leak out as well as warm air leak in, and vice versa with heating in the winter. Before the hot months arrive, we at New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing would like to share a few tips to help you make sure that your home is sealed.
How Do You Weather Seal a House?
After a thorough inspection, which is the first step, the discovered leaks can be properly sealed. Below is a useful guide in order to help you search for air leaks around the home.
1) While the cooling system is running, be sure the doors and windows are tightly closed. It is important to ensure, though this is obvious.
2) To test a problem, hold a lit incense stick or thin toilet paper close to the ceiling fixtures, hatches, plumbing fixtures, utility connections, doors, windows, and any other place where you suspect any air leaks. By flipping off the HVAC system and any ceiling or floor fans, you can minimize the natural air current. If you see movement with the paper or smoke, you likely have a leak.
3) Around any leaks found around the doors and windows, fresh weather stripping and waterproof caulk should be used. The track will need to be cleaned after the deteriorating weather stripping is pulled off first before installing the fresh weather stripping.
4) Make certain to avoid duct tape for sealing air ducts and if you do it yourself, do so with mastic sealant and call an expert for more efficient sealing.
5) In order to seal any leaks stemming from the outlets, foam gaskets should be used.
6) You can reflect the sun’s rays with light colored blinds and curtains/drapes to reduce the heat from penetrating.
7) Make certain seal it up and inspect the flue for signs of leaks when the fireplace is not being used.
8) Avoid the self-adhesive sweeps and use a more durable one that screws in and a pliable rubber sealant should replace the decayed door sweep.
9) In the home’s structure that are larger than 1/4-inch, seal with expandable foam spray the gaps found.
10) Make certain to check the insulation, too much indoor air pollution like toxic gases and volatile organic compounds can’t ventilate properly with too much insulation and too little will cause the inefficiency of your HVAC system. If you are unsure, a pro can be of assistance.
Central Air Conditioning Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York
To your HVAC system performance and energy usage after the home is adequately sealed, you should notice improvement, depending on the severity of the leaks. Depending on the severity of the leaks, to your HVAC system performance and energy usage after the home is adequately sealed, you should notice improvement. When issues first arise, make sure to have your cooling and heating system tune-up service every year by a certified professional and use technician’s repair services promptly. When it comes to your HVAC system services, call New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and let our specialists help you.
