Would you like to improve the energy efficiency of your home? A good place to start is with air sealing. About 43 percent of your monthly energy bill can be attributed to your home’s heating and cooling system, so you can save a lot of money by ensuring that as much conditioned air as possible stays inside your home rather than leaking out.  Your home is likely to have leaks in places like the door frame or the windows, as well as air leaks beneath the door. There are so many ways for your home’s conditioned air to escape, that it can be difficult to locate and seal every source.

MGT Insulation offers a variety of insulation, air sealing, and moisture control materials that can reduce energy costs and improve homes’ comfort. We found some warning signs that we can look for in homes with air leaks, so here are some things you can do if you find them.

My Home’s HVAC System Is Constantly Running

When there are a lot of air leaks in your home, your HVAC system will have a hard time maintaining your thermostat setting. Having unconditioned outdoor air constantly replacing your conditioned air will put a strain on your HVAC system. The home may have leaky air if it keeps running and takes forever to cool or heat.

My Monthly Utility Bills Increase In Winter and Summer

In addition to this, if you have leaks throughout your house, your HVAC system will have to work harder. In addition to a large energy bill resulting from an overworked HVAC system, a tired system is very likely to fail. Essentially, if you are paying for heating and cooling that is barely sufficient to keep you comfortable, you are caught in a vicious cycle. If your energy bills are higher than usual, this might be worth paying attention to if you don’t even realize how hard or long your HVAC system is working.

My Home Has Uneven Temperatures In Each Room

The most common cause of uneven temperature is air leaks, but there are several others. A leaky room can be detected by noticing how difficult it is to increase and decrease the temperature. In the case of a leaky thermostat, your HVAC system will be severely damaged and will go into a short cycle. Fixing uneven temperatures can often be compared to solving a Rubix cube, adjusting the temperature in leaky rooms will often affect temperatures in adjacent rooms.

I Feel Air Drafts In My Home

The most common air leaks occur around windows and doors, but the biggest leaks are usually between your living space and your attic or crawlspace. If you’re seated near a window, it may be easier to notice a draft. However, cumulatively, your attic leaks, ductwork, and crawlspace have a bigger impact on your home comfort. Regardless of the source, if you’re feeling air drafts, your home will benefit from air sealing.

My Home Is Very Humid or Dry

We are used to living in a humid climate here in Minnesota, right? In addition to cooling the air inside your house, air conditioners have the ability to reduce humidity as well. As the AC can remove humidity from your home, humidity can seep back in if you own a house with air leaks. A leaky house tends to become uncomfortable dry during the winter due to the lack of moisture. This happens no matter what the season is because an excessive amount of outdoor air enters your home.

My Allergies Are Really Bad Inside My House

Those who suffer from allergies or other respiratory conditions might be at risk of being exposed to indoor contaminants by air leaks. Indoor air carries many irritants such as dust, pollen, mold, and other contaminants as it penetrates your home. Air leaks near busy roads can even let vehicle exhaust into your home. When air passes over fiberglass insulation between your living space and the outdoors, it can carry small bits of fiberglass into your living space. If your home has air leaks, all of these particles can still enter your lungs despite the doors and windows being closed.

What Should I Do About Air Leaks?

There’s a possibility that there are air leaks in your house. Is there anything you need to do? First, you need to determine whether air leaks are really the cause of your discomfort or inefficient energy use. Identify the largest, most troubling leaks next, if they exist. Thus, you will be able to prioritize which ones need sealing.

Whether you need to air seal your home or have questions about air sealing, contact us today, and we would be glad to help. In the end, air sealing is not the only solution for every home comfort problem. Our team will be able to help you find a solution that will permanently fix your problems when we know more about your specific situation.