Air leaks in a home can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars per year in energy bills. If you live in an older house that has not been weatherized, between 20% and 50% of your heating bills can be attributed to air leakage alone.

Identifying air leaks is a fairly simple process. If you feel a draft around your outside doors or windows on a cold day, it’s a safe bet that air leaks are the cause. A method to determine the exact source of leaks is to use a lit candle around any areas where you suspect air leakage. The moving air will make the candle’s flame flutter.

Common air leak locations include door and window frames, mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, outdoor water faucets and dryer vents.

Caulking and weather stripping are two easy ways to reduce air leakage in your home. Caulking is used to seal small cracks and holes that occur when different types of building materials come together. Watch a how-to video for a step-by-step process on window caulking). Weather stripping seals around doors and windows. Watch Vectren's how-to video for simple instructions. Or click here for online instructions about caulking windows and click here for online instructions about weather stripping doors.

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