Detecting Air Leaks in Your Home and How to Fix Them

With Christmas well and truly upon us now, and with energy costs being exponentially higher despite some market stabilisation, all of us in the UK need to explore ways we can preserve costs without compromising our comfort. Even with smart and sustainable changes we make to our homes ahead of winter, sometimes it can be brutal.

This is a years-old issue that has sparked debate and conversations on virtually every news outlet, and at the very least, the salient point remains how we can conserve as much heat as possible, preventing it from escaping as much as we can. 

One of the most overlooked issues lies in the unexpected escape of air from your property. Seemingly innocuous and insignificant gaps and cracks around your home can not only allow for an influx of cold air from outside but also drain your energy usage, thus causing you to spend more on your heating than you are getting. In turn, this affects your comfort and causes an unnecessary spike in your expenditure, which, for many, is already stretched beyond the breaking point. Even with your thermostat raised, feeling a chill of freezing cold air in your home is most unwelcome. 

Understanding and preventing air leaks across your home can be a vital first step in maintaining a good level of comfort in your home while reducing your energy consumption and spending this Christmas and beyond.

Understanding air leakage: more than just a draught

Air leakage occurs when uncontrolled air flows in and out of your home through various gaps and openings. These gaps might be barely noticeable, but they can have a significant impact on your home's overall energy performance. 

Owners of period properties may be particularly accustomed to this, as they may have tiny cracks around window frames or gaps in loft insulation. These openings allow warm air to escape and cold air to infiltrate the home, creating an ongoing battle where no matter the level of your thermostat, a chill is still being felt. 

For owners of period properties, restoring sash windows presents a unique challenge in air leak prevention. Carefully applied weatherstripping and draught-proofing can significantly improve the thermal performance of these beautiful, historic windows without compromising their original character. Owners of newly built and modern properties may have contemporary windows and doors fitted, but these can still be prone to warping, and unexpected gaps can still form. 

The hidden cost of air leaks

If left unattended for prolonged periods, even subtle air leaks can have a profound impact on your property beyond an inconvenient chill to your home.

They can:

• Increase your heating costs by 20-30%
• Create uncomfortable temperature variations throughout your home
• Lead to an influx of pollutants like dust, pollen, and moisture to enter the building
• Reduce the effectiveness of your heating system, however energy-efficient it may be
• Potentially contribute to moisture-related issues like damp and mould, which, if proliferated, can cause structural damage to the building

How to detect air leaks

The hand test
A simple yet effective method is the hand test. On a cold day, run your hand slowly around window frames, door edges, and other potential leak points. Feel for any noticeable temperature differences or air movement that might indicate an air leak.

The candle or incense trick
On a windy day, light a candle or incense stick and move it carefully around potential leak areas. If the flame flickers or the smoke wavers, you've likely found an air leak. Pay special attention to:

• Window and door frames
• Electrical outlets
• Skirting boards
• Loft hatches
• Areas where pipes enter your home

Professional air leakage tests
While ‌DIY methods provide a good starting point, professional air-tightness testing offers the most comprehensive solution. Using specialised equipment, professionals can precisely measure and locate air leakage points throughout your home.

Effective solutions for sealing air leaks

While air leakage sounds like a massive overhaul for property owners, the reality is that fixes are generally straightforward and non-intrusive. You can address and fix air leakage in a variety of ways.

1. Weatherstripping: Apply self-adhesive draught excluders around window and door frames.
2. Sealing: Use high-quality sealants like caulk or spray foam to fill small gaps and cracks.
3. Expanding foam: For larger gaps, particularly in less visible areas like attic spaces.
4. Improve ventilation: Maintain proper indoor air quality by upgrading your ventilation systems to ensure a healthy balance between fresh air and tightness.

Renewable energy solutions

This is where renewable energy products and retrofitted solutions truly shine when isolating and preventing air leaks. Modern solar panel and heat pump installations are not just about generating clean energy – they're also an opportunity to comprehensively assess and improve your home's energy preservation, giving you a more comfortable and cost-effective home all year round.

Professionally installed solar panels
When installing solar panels, Renewable Energy Hub can facilitate you successfully  consulting professionals, who will conduct a thorough energy assessment of your property. This process often reveals hidden air leakage points, allowing you to address them simultaneously with your renewable energy upgrade.

Energy-saving heat pumps
Air source and ground source heat pumps work most efficiently in well-sealed environments. Their installation typically involves a comprehensive energy performance evaluation, identifying and recommending solutions for air leakage issues.

Long-term benefits of preventing air leakage

Addressing air leaks isn’t just about providing short-term comfort in the winter months. Doing so will give your home a much-needed patch to preserve its energy usage. 

Creating a more airtight living space allows you to gain firmer control over your energy consumption and emissions, which can be a long-term strategic investment. With the right renewable energy upgrades, your energy usage will be more productive throughout your property, with less heat escaping. 

Not only that, but smart upgrades and improvements will potentially increase your property value, should you come to sell it in the near future. While patching air leaks will improve home comfort in the interim, prospective buyers will appreciate moving into a property that doesn’t allow heat to escape easily and cold air to infiltrate it with relative ease. With many buyers now also being eco-conscious, a renewable energy upgrade offers benefits in this regard as well. You’ll be doing yourself and your future buyers a huge favour with proactive action.

Financial Considerations

The initial investment in air leak detection and sealing can typically be recovered within a couple of years through reduced energy bills. When combined with renewable energy solutions, the savings and environmental benefits are even more significant.
Key Takeaways

Detecting and fixing air leaks is a vital step in creating an energy-efficient and comfortable home. With cold months still firmly ahead, now is the perfect time to address any spots where air creeps in and escapes.

As a starting point, consider the following:

1. Conduct a thorough air leakage assessment with DIY tests
2. Consider professional air tightness testing
3. Seal and weatherstrip where possible.
4. Explore renewable energy upgrades that can simultaneously address energy efficiency

Whether making small adjustments or investing in full-scale property upgrades, every step you take contributes to a more comfortable, sustainable home.

Ready to improve your home's energy performance? The Renewable Energy Hub offers a variety of information and innovative solutions to help you create a more efficient, comfortable living space.