How to create an airtight home

How to create an airtight home

Morgan
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How to create an airtight home

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Project Overview

Having an airtight home will reduce your electricity consumption and possibly your power bill by preventing airflow out of your house. We’ll show you some areas of potential heat loss and some products you can use to eliminate gaps in your home. 

Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1 Check your ceiling for air leakage
2 Close up outside vents
3 Reduce heat loss through your chimney
4 Check your air conditioning unit
5 Seal up door and window gaps

  • Step 1. Check your ceiling for air leakage

    Over 40% of heating is lost through your ceiling so it’s really important to make sure you get rid of any draughts or areas of air leakage. Check around all light shades, vents and antennas for potential gaps. Crawl into your roof space and if you can see any light, that’s a gap that’s causing heat loss and needs to be filled.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Air vent

  • Step 2. Close up outside vents

    There are many areas around your home that may leak warm air. Pet doors and vents from things such as a rangehoood, a dryer or shower can cause a lot of heat loss. Installing brackets for these appliances can prevent air loss through them
    Previous Step Next Step
    Pet doors

  • Step 3. Reduce heat loss through your chimney

    Your house can lose a lot of heat through a chimney or open fireplace. If you’re not actively using your fireplace, consider sealing it up on the inside. If you do like to use your fireplace, you could close the chimney’s flue or use a damper to reduce the air flow.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Chimney

  • Step 4. Check your air conditioning unit

    Air conditioning units can lose a lot of air at the connections that lead outside. Check that all the fixings are secure at the building and at the air conditioning unit.  Also look for leaky or cracked pipes that may also be causing air loss. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Air conditioning unit

  • Step 5. Seal up door and window gaps

    To seal aluminium doors and windows, install a thermal break to create another barrier against air loss and movement. For wooden windows and doors, you can use foam seals. Make sure that any existing door and windows strips are in good condition and that they aren’t leaking air. If they do, these can be easily replaced with foam strips.  

    Previous Step Next Step
    Seal up doors

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