With the maintenance done and the HVAC ready for the summer cooling season, you may think it’s time to sit back and feel the cool. But if you seal the leaks around your home, you’ll keep the more cool air inside, and your HVAC system will be more efficient and more effective.
Door Thresholds
Those small openings at the bottom of your door let a lot of cool air slip away. Remember, cold air sinks, and it will find its way out through a leaky threshold. It’s easy to remedy, just replace the old threshold with a new one, or roll up a towel or use a common door snake to place against the bottom of your door. This goes for doors leading into a basement or crawlspace too.
Seal Windows
If your HVAC system is going to be running most of the summer, keep your storm windows closed. You’ll lose a lot less air that way. On older homes, weatherstrip your windows to make a tight seal when they are closed, and if there are gaps between the frame and wall, seal them with caulk or foam.
Check your Ductwork
Separated or ill-fitting ductwork will allow large amounts of cooled air to escape. All ductwork must be tight and correctly sealed to limit leakage. However, when sealing ducts, only use HVAC foil duct tape. Do not use cloth duct tape because it will fail and the problem will return. Just align the ducts and wrap them tightly at the seams.
Plumbing Holes
If you have a basement or a crawlspace, you are going to have plumbing holes. Things like drain pipes, feeder pipes, and toilet valves will generally have been routed into your home by holes in the floor. These holes act like drains for the cool air, and the more plumbing you have, like say in a two story home, the more air you are going to lose. Make sure to seal them with caulking and prevent your air conditioned air from draining away.
Up to 30% of cooled air can be lost by air leaks in your home. If you have any questions on how to stop air leaks or want professional advice about how to make your HVAC system more effective, please contact Apple Valley Heating and Air Conditioning. Serving the High Desert region around Apple Valley, California.
