Sealing Leaks
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Air leaks in your house are pretty easy to find for the simple reason that you can feel them. Air leaks are a big contributor to your carbon footprint because they force your heating and cooling systems to work twice as hard.
The most common air leaks are going to be near windows and doors, so check here first in order to get the fastest reduction to your carbon footprint. It is also worth checking in attics, basements, and crawlspaces, although these leaks can be harder to fix, but still important to your carbon footprint and stopping global warming. This diagram shows the most common places in your house for air leaks.Click the image to enlarge.
Fixing air leaks doesn’t require much technical expertise. Pick up some caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping from your local hardware store. These products will come with instructions on their use, to allow you to cut your carbon footprint.
You should note that you can make your home too air tight, although this is very hard to do in older houses. It is worthwhile to get a contractor to check the ventilation in your home once you are done sealing any leaks. This will ensure that you have clean air in your home, and you are fighting global warming by reducing your carbon footprint.
Also consider having a heating and cooling technician check that your combustion appliances (furnace, water heater, and dryer) are ventilating properly. If they are not they could have a negative impact on your carbon footprint, and the quality of the air in your home.
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