[ECO]9 Hidden Weak Spots in Your Home That Are Leaking Energy

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9 Hidden Weak Spots in Your Home That Are Leaking Energy

As environmental stewards, it’s important to champion sustainability and avoid energy waste. However, it’s hard to tackle certain issues that contribute to the problem when they’re hidden. The home has many vulnerable weak spots that ***** energy.

Why Are Energy Leaks Bad?

Energy leaks are detrimental because they waste crucial resources. Heaters and coolers usually have to work twice as hard in order to compensate for the electricity escaping from the home. The power grid traditionally comes from burning fossil fuels, which the world already has a limited supply of.

Electric leaks can also have plenty of financial consequences. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about one-third or more of building power use is wasted

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annually. Households already find it challenging to pay their utility bills, so covering excess electricity is even more of a burden.

The best way to address energy leaks is to identify and care for them. Prioritize efficiency to strengthen the home and minimize power use. Secondary solutions would be to utilize renewable power options. Solar panels, wind turbines and similar systems can

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and create a more sustainable future.

Hidden Weak Spots

Numerous hidden weak spots in the home unknowingly create energy waste. From windows to doors, here are the locations to look out for and efficient solutions you can use.

1. Windows

Windows achieve efficiency by bringing natural light into the home, minimizing reliance on artificial fixtures. Unfortunately, poorly installed frames and cracked glass can allow heat or cold to escape. Aside from impacting thermal comfort, this can also drive up utility costs.

Try to inspect your windows by hovering your hand over the pane. If a draft is coming through even when it’s closed, you may have to reinforce the space with weatherstripping. You can also invest in window replacements for better insulation.

2. Doors

Doors are another opening to be wary of. The bottoms of these structures usually have a gap for easy opening and closing where air can slip through. Interior doors can let it escape from room to room, but the front door lets it all out completely.

You can tell you have a door ***** if there are floor drafts or by visually checking them. The ******* the gap, the more waste created. Weatherstripping can usually take care of those cavities and prevent electric leaks. If the bottom part is your only problem, you can invest in and attach a door draft stopper.

3. Walls

A house’s walls should be the main assistant in power conservation, but there are defects that may do the opposite. For instance, cracks can allow air and water to seep in. You also need to look out for damp walls, which can

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through heating and cooling.

Consider caulking wall cracks as early as possible. Its waterproof features prevent water from oozing out. As a bonus, you can keep away insects that would’ve caused further damage.

If you have damp walls, look into efficient wall-drying processes. Most procedures would likely take two days or so, depending on the wall thickness and initial moisture content. If your property is fresh from water damage, seek professional help.

4. Air Ducts

The HVAC system is crucial for distributing temperature and keeping the home’s humidity under control. Unfortunately, broken air ducts can transfer the air to unwanted areas, which wastes more power in the long run.

Fix your duct system by sealing off the registers and checking for leaks. Some people utilize a smoke machine for a visual clue of where the air is escaping. You can use duct tape and insulation material to cover the holes.

5. Garage 

The garage is an underrated part of the home, with plenty of potential to ***** electricity. If the walls and doors aren’t reinforced properly, indoor air and temperatures can still escape.

A garage can be easy to overlook, but every time you leave through it translates to energy leaks. Invest in quality insulation to avoid heat loss during the winter. It’s also ideal for summer to keep air conditioning efficient.

It may be wise to check out garage door replacements as well. Make sure you find one with a high R-value

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. Get a professional to measure, fit, and install the door to avoid any future leaks.

6. Electrical Outlets

Electrical switches and outlets are another sneaky feature that lets air out and about. The main reason is these receptacles aren’t designed or installed to be airtight. Holes are drilled to allow the wires to pass through, and they can often be too large.

The best fix for these is to install junction box covers. These PVC barriers offer an enclosure for electrical wiring and keep air leaks at bay. They also help protect the people and animals around them by minimizing electrical exposure.

7. Attic Hatch

Many homeowners love to use the attic as storage or as a secondary room. However, you need to beware of the power leaks it can offer. An access hatch like pull-down stairs can usually let air from the rest of the house escape upwards.

To address this, minimize going up these entrances. Fewer openings mean fewer opportunities for air to come out. You can also reinforce the edges with weatherstripping for good measure. If you really want to use the space regularly, call in a specialist who can renovate it. Ask for an insulated and sturdy attic hatch.

8. Basement

Another area homeowners like to repurpose and utilize is the basement. Since it’s under the home, there’s plenty more space. However, the area where the cement contacts the wood frame of the house

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and creates energy waste.

One initial solution to avoiding leaks is to keep your basement door insulated to prevent indoor air from traveling downward. As for the foundation, it’s important to use sealants adjacent to the rim joists. Some construction specialists utilize sheeting, but you can temporarily cover them with cloths until specialists come.

9. Chimney

The chimney is helpful for pulling smoke from your fireplace. That said, some of the heat can also travel upwards and escape. While this regulates the temperature, homeowners should close off the opening when the fireplace is unused or they want to keep the environment as is.

To do this, you need to take out the chimney cap and use it as a measurement to cut out sheet metal. Set this piece at the top of the chimney, with the cap placed over it. Secure everything with caulk to avoid further leaks. You can also put foam insulation inside the chimney to avoid the extra cavity.

Strengthen Your Home

Houses have many hidden weak spots, but it’s easier to look for them and make repairs when conscious of these areas. Check out the locations above and fortify your home against energy leaks. These endeavors will contribute to power efficiency in the long run, safeguarding your household and the planet.

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