{"id":1706,"date":"2025-07-04T00:00:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T04:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barrieheatingcooling.ca\/blog\/?p=1706"},"modified":"2026-05-05T07:50:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T11:50:18","slug":"diy-home-energy-audit-find-and-fix-drafts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barrieheatingcooling.ca\/blog\/diy-home-energy-audit-find-and-fix-drafts\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Home Energy Audit: Find and Fix Drafts"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }<\/style>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Azjt9LFbt8c\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Drafts and leaks can make your home uncomfortable and your energy bills unnecessarily high\u2014especially in winter. The good news? You can often find and fix many of these issues on your own. A DIY home energy audit is a smart first step toward a more efficient, comfortable home.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Step 1: Check for Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">On a cold or windy day, use your hand to feel for drafts around window frames and door edges.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Shine a flashlight from inside at night while someone checks from outside\u2014light leaks often mean air leaks.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step 2: Inspect Attic and Basement Gaps<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Check attic access doors and knee walls for insulation and sealing.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Look in the basement or crawlspace for unsealed <a href=\"https:\/\/barrieheatingcooling.ca\/hvac-services\/duct-work\">ductwork<\/a>, sill plate gaps, or exposed foundation cracks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step 3: Examine Electrical Outlets and Switches<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">These are common but overlooked air leak spots.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Remove the cover plate and feel for airflow\u2014especially on exterior walls.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Use foam gaskets or spray foam to seal behind outlets and switches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step 4: Look at Vents, <a href=\"https:\/\/barrieheatingcooling.ca\/plumbing-services\">Plumbing<\/a>, and Cable Penetrations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Any place a pipe or wire enters\/exits your home could be leaking air.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Seal around penetrations with expanding foam or caulk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step 5: Evaluate Insulation (Visually)<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Peek into the attic to check depth and coverage. Canadian homes typically need <b>R-50 insulation<\/b> for maximum efficiency.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Compressed, missing, or damp insulation should be replaced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step 6: Check Furnace and Ductwork<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Inspect exposed ductwork for disconnected sections or lack of insulation.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Make sure your <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.barrieheatingcooling.ca\/product-category\/filters-pads\/\">furnace filter<\/a> is clean for optimal airflow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/affordablecomfort.ca\/shop\">Need filters? You can order directly from our shop and get them delivered to your door.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Bonus: Try the Incense or Smoke Test<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Light a stick of incense and slowly move it around edges of windows, doors, and baseboards.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">If the smoke wavers or is sucked in\/out, you\u2019ve found a leak.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>When to Call a Pro<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>If your DIY audit finds several issues\u2014or if you&#8217;re not sure what you\u2019re looking at\u2014Affordable Comfort can help. We offer full home energy evaluations, insulation upgrades, and HVAC optimization to reduce your energy costs and increase comfort.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Drafts and leaks can make your home uncomfortable and your energy bills unnecessarily high\u2014especially in winter. The good news? You can often find and fix many of these issues on your own. A DIY home energy audit is a &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/barrieheatingcooling.ca\/blog\/diy-home-energy-audit-find-and-fix-drafts\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[211],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-maintenance"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DIY Home Energy Audit - Heating &amp; Cooling Barrie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to lower energy bills? 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