I was reading a building science article and found out most homes lose 30% of their heat through air leaks

Honestly, I always thought insulation in the walls was the main thing. I found this fact in a report from the Department of Energy. It says sealing up drafts around windows, doors, and outlets can make a huge difference. I checked my own place and felt cold air coming from a few outlets on an outside wall. I spent about twenty bucks on some foam gaskets and caulk to seal them. Has anyone else done a full air sealing audit and noticed a real change in their heating bill?

3 comments

3 Comments

smith.anna2mo ago

My brother-in-law is an HVAC guy and he always says air sealing is the cheapest fix with the biggest payoff.

lunag302mo ago

Yeah, that 30% number is wild, right? I had the same wake-up call last winter. My old windows were basically just decorative, the draft was so bad. I went around with a candle to find the leaks, and the worst spot was this one door frame. Felt like I was heating the whole backyard. Sealing that up was a game changer for comfort, even before I saw the bill.

the_emery2mo ago

Heating the whole backyard is a perfect way to put it. My last apartment had a sliding door that basically just pumped my money outside. I'd sit there and watch the curtains move even when the windows were shut. Felt like I was paying to keep the porch toasty for the squirrels.