Inspect the duct work and insulation throughout your home to check for leaks. Look for holes in ducts, and for sections that should be joined but have separated. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of a leak.
Pay special attention to attics, which often have holes due to electrical wiring, chimney chases and recessed lights.
For basements, look for gaps around duct work and plumbing. Also check window and door frames, and for cracked caulking around electrical outlets and switches.
How to tell if there is a leak? Use an incense stick or smoke pen on a windy day, or turn on all the exhaust fans and see where the smoke goes.
To fix, use a combination of weather stripping, foam board, caulk and expandable sealant. To seal ducts, use mastic, butyl tape, foil tape or other heat-approved tapes. For severely damaged ducts, it is worth spending a bit of money to get them properly fixed – you’ll save more in energy costs than you’ll spend to have the work done.
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A LOZO expert posted this tip. |