How to Find Air Leaks in Your Windows
Natural light and ventilation, as well as insulation, are provided by you house’s windows and doors. If your windows are not properly sealed, you could be losing money on your energy bills and wasting your home’s resources. In this article, we will show you how to find air leaks in your windows and seal them up tight! If you are looking for St. Petersburg window installation services or Tampa Bay window company then look no further. We will provide efficient and affordable solutions to your problems.
1. Visual Inspection
Visually inspect your windows first. Look for cracks or gaps in the caulking or weather-stripping. This will give you an idea of where the air is leaking through. If you find any damage, use a putty knife or caulk gun to fill in the gaps. You can also use weather-stripping to seal up any cracks.
2. Candle Method
Another way to tell if your windows are leaking air is to hold a lit candle up to the edges of the window. If you see the flame flickering, that means there is an air leak.
If you have double-paned windows, check to see if the seal between the panes is broken. This can be fixed by replacing the window pane.
3. Use Light
Another way to check for air leaks is to hold a light up to the window. If you see the light coming through, then there is an air leak.
Once you have identified where the air leaks are, you can seal them up with caulk or weather-stripping. This will help to improve the insulation of your home and save you money on your energy bills!
4. Thermal Camera
If you want to get serious about finding air leaks in your windows, you’ll need a thermal camera. This tool allows you to see heat signatures, which can help you identify areas where there is too much or too little insulation.
Thermal cameras are expensive, but they’re worth the investment if you plan on doing a lot of home improvement projects.
You can find thermal cameras at most home improvement stores, or you can order one online. If you cannot buy it, then you can also get the one for rent.
When you’re using a thermal camera, be sure to scan the entire window, including the frame and any surrounding areas. Look for areas where the heat signature is different from the rest of the window. These are likely areas where there is an air leak.
5. Building Pressurization Test
If you want to get really technical about finding air leaks in your windows, you can conduct a building pressurization test. This test involves closing all the doors and windows in your home and then turning on a fan to create negative pressure inside the house.
The idea is that any air leaks will be revealed by the fan, which will cause the pressure inside the house to drop.
To conduct a building pressurization test, you’ll need:
- A blower door
- A digital manometer
- A smoke pencil or incense sticks
First, you’ll need to set up the blower door in an exterior doorway. Once it’s set up, turn on the fan and make sure that it’s blowing air out of the house.
Then, use the digital manometer to measure the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the house. The manometer should be placed in the doorway opposite the blower door.
Finally, use the smoke pencil or incense sticks to check for drafts around windows and doors. If you see smoke coming into the house, that’s an indication of an air leak.
Now that you know how to find air leaks in your windows, it’s time to get to work! Use this information to improve the insulation of your home and save money on your energy bills going forward!