How to Check for Window Drafts
Drafty windows zap the energy efficiency of your home. During winter months, leaky windows force the heating system to work harder to heat the home. When the weather is hot, the drafty windows make the home more difficult to cool. By finding which windows are drafty, you are able to repair the leaks to better seal up the home and increase energy efficiency. A windy day is the best time to check for drafts as you are more likely to feel the air coming in. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Inspect the windows to look for visual signs of a potential air leak. Look for missing or damaged caulking. If you are able to see light through the cracks or edges of the windows, you likely have an air leak that needs to be repaired.
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Rattle the window panels. If the glass is loose enough to rattle, there is a chance you have air leaks as the wind is able to get in through the loose areas.
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Shut all doors, windows and flues in the home to perform a pressurization test recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy. Shut off the combustion appliances in the home, such as a gas furnace. Start the exhaust fans to draw air out of the home so you are better able to feel air leaks.
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Dampen your hand so you are able to feel the coolness if there is an air leak. Move your hand around the window to determine if you feel a draft. Note areas that make your hand feel cool as you pass it by the window.
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Light an incense stick as another method of locating a drafty window. Hold the incense stick near the window, moving it around slowly to pinpoint the exact location of drafts. If the smoke changes direction suddenly or moves around, you likely have an air draft.
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Tips & Warnings
Doors, baseboards, electrical outlets and wall air conditioners are other potential areas for air leaks. Use the same methods to test those areas.
