Did you know that according to The Washington Post, “the average house — even when well-insulated — contains cracks and gaps between building materials that can add up to a hole about fourteen inches square?” At that rate, it’s no wonder that the warm air produced by your heating system can escape so rapidly. To help you keep the warm air in and reduce heating costs, here’s a list of the most common places hot air escapes that you should seal up immediately.
Attic Entry Points – Many homeowners have their ducts, vents and pipes enter and exit through the attic. While this is definitely a good alternative, it’s important to make sure that the space around these objects is completely sealed to prevent air from leaking out.
Attic & Crawl Space Hatches – Any opening in your home’s ceiling that leads to an unheated area is a target for heat loss. In order to prevent heat from escaping, make sure to weatherstrip your access hatches.
Fireplace Dampers – If your home is fortunate enough to have a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll want to make sure you’ve always got a well-fitting damper to seal off your chimney in the winter.
Electrical Wiring & Plumbing – If your home has recessed lighting, or any wiring or piping that runs through the ceiling, the risk of heat loss are greater. To keep air from escaping, seal off any plumbing or electrical work with high-temperature, flexible caulk.
Window & Doors – Keeping your windows and doors shut in the winter is not a surefire way to keep warm air in. Even when they are closed, air can still seep out through the caps in the window and door frames. To prevent these drafts, weatherstrip and caulk around all entryways.
Have you sealed up all of your homes gaps and cracks, but are still having difficulty getting your home to heat efficiently? It might be beneficial to get your local HVAC professional to come take a look at your system. If you live in Fairfield County, New Haven County or the surrounding area, Tyler Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration LLC is the company to call!
To learn more about our services, visit our website or give us a call at 203-378-4700.
