Cold Drafts Creeping Around Got You Down?

Published December 3rd, 2024 by Energyadmin

A cold draft sneaking up to tease your toes or give you a chill is something that we can all definitely do without this fall and winter season!

Here are some ways to find the source of a draft in your house:

Flashlight test

Turn off the lights and shine a flashlight around areas you suspect have drafts. If you see light shining through, there's a draft.
Candle test

Hold a lit candle near areas you suspect have drafts. If the flame flickers or leans to one side, there's a draft.
Hand test

Feel for airflow around windows, doors, and walls with your hand.
Incense stick test

Turn off the furnace and water heater, then turn on exhaust fans. Hold a lit incense stick near windows, doors, outlets, and other suspected areas. If smoke blows sideways, there's a leak.

Wind meter

Use a wind meter to measure how much air is flowing in or out of specific areas.

Thermal detector

Use a thermal detector to pinpoint where the draft is coming in by showing temperature differences on the surface of walls.

Drafts can come from many places, including windows, doors, basements, attics, electrical outlets, plumbing vents, furnace ducts and flues, fireplaces, recessed lighting, and more.

There may not be any barrier blocking the cold air from coming in through your walls, causing drafts to sneak in through electrical outlets. Evaluate where the drafts can be felt most strongly using the steps above, and consider replacing your windows, adding insulation to your walls, attic, and / or crawlspace.

Remember, drafts can cause your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, which can lead to higher energy bills!

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