Page 38 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 9, 2013 Getting rid of drafts increases comfort, saves energy Think about what it might be like if you turned up the heat and then opened all of the windows. All of that warm air would rush right out, and you would be left with a cold home and a hefty heating bill. A home that is full of drafts is inefficient and expen- sive. Drafty homes are not just a problem when the weather is cold, as air that seeps in when you are trying to keep the home cool can be an inefficient nuisance, too. Higher energy bills and wasted resources do not have to be toler- ated if you simply scour your home for drafts, sealing them to cut energy costs and make the home more comfortable. Drafts are often small cracks around windows and doors, but there are many other places where drafts can form. Knowing some of the less visible spots where drafts come from may help you to seal out unwanted cold air more effectively. Attic: Homes that feature attics with pull-down stairs tend to be drafty. In such homes, a large hole is cut out of the ceiling so residents can access the attic. Instead of thick insulation, these homes may only have a sheet of plywood blocking the interior space from the outdoors, as many attics are directly vented to the roof. To determine if there is a leak, turn on the attic light, close the attic door, and check to see if you can see the light on from below. If so, there is a gap letting both the light and air escape. In addi- tion to using flexible rubber around the opening of the attic to better seal the door when it is closed, think about adding a thicker, more insulated door. Dryer vents: The standard home laundry dryer vents outdoors via an exhaust duct. This duct is open to the out- doors, and it may be letting cold air into the home. That is because there is typically a flimsy flapper made of sheet metal on the outside of the vent to help protect against air infiltration. Over time, dryer lint can accumulate at the vent opening, causing the metal flapper to stay open when it should close. Homeowners can invest in dryer seals that close the vent when the dryer is not in use. This prevents cold air from entering the house, and keeps out pests, like bugs and rodents. Pipes: Check pipes that exit the home, such as those that feed outdoor water spigots, as such pipes can let cold air back into the house. The same can be said for waste pipes. Also, check to see if pipes that connect to garages, basements, and crawl spaces are not insulated. Use seal- ant around these pipes to block drafts into the home. Foam insulation can be sprayed into small crevices, where it will expand and harden, blocking off air access. These damp, cool spots are also great places for insects to enter the home. Sealing drafts also may prevent bugs from coming indoors. Fireplaces: Although fireplaces often make for decora- tive and appealing accents to a home, many are not effec- tive sources of ambient heat. They may draw more warm air out of the flue than they bring into the house. When a fireplace is not in use, air can rise out of the chimney and a draft can be felt in the home. Some studies indicate that an open damper on an unused fireplace, even in a well- insulated home, can increase overall heating and cooling energy consumption by 30 percent. Remember to always keep the damper shut when the fireplace is not in use and use a glass cover you can seal tightly to further block the opening to the fireplace from the living space. Fireplace plugs, which can keep out drafts during the season when fireplaces are not in use, may also be a worthwhile investment. Electrical outlets: Outlets and light switches can be significant sources of drafts in a home. Check to see that the switch plates are secure. If drafts still come through, employ outlet draft blockers to prevent cool air from enter- ing the home and warm air from exiting. Homeowners can address drafts in a variety of ways, and doing so can make a home more comfortable and cut energy costs considerably.