It may sound like we’re biased, but the fact is that there are literally hundreds of places air can escape in your home, and the professionals know exactly where to look and what type of supplies are needed to seal each kind of leak.

One of the best things about this test is that it makes it easy to see which leaks are letting in the most air. A light waver means a small leak. A big waver? Well, you’ve clearly got bigger problems.

The most commonly used air-sealing technique is caulking, which is used to fill small gaps and openings. Other types of air-sealing techniques include:

They are also expertly trained in air sealing correctly to allow the appropriate amount of healthy airflow in your home.

Start by closing all exterior doors and windows. Then turn off any fans, humidifiers, and other sources of moving air in your home.

To check for air leaks around windows, shut all the windows and doors then hold a burning incense stick near the window. If the smoke wavers, you have an air leak. You can also hold toilet paper around the window—if it moves, you’ve got unwanted airflow.

A thermal air leak detector is a handheld device that uses sensors to detect temperature differences. When used correctly, they work well to detect air leaks in your home, but they’re definitely not a substitute for getting a professional blower door test.

Ultimately, it takes building science knowhow, a lot of gumption, and determination to go into every dusty, dirty, spidery space to seal all those air-leaking culprits.

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Ready to fix air leaks for good? Discover how you could get air sealing, insulation, and even HVAC upgrades at no upfront cost with Sealed. Answer our quick questionnaire to see if you qualify.

Checking for air leaks sounds intimidating, but it really isn’t. We’ll walk you through six practical ways to be your own DIY Draft Detector. (Sorry, this title doesn’t come with a cool badge.)

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(Or sometimes your home wasn’t air sealed properly or built with sufficient insulation in the first place, so it’s been leaking air since day one!)

Plus every home upgrade package with Sealed is tailored to your situation, so you’ll get what you need (and nothing you don’t) for very little upfront cost (maybe even zero upfront cost).

But leak detection—and repair—can go a long way toward saving energy and making your home more comfortable. (Depending on where you live, you can seal air leaks for $0 upfront if your house qualifies. Find out how.)

If you’re serious about finding the leaks in your home, using an air leak detector is one of the most accurate at-home tests. There are two main types: thermal leak detectors and ultrasonic leak detectors.

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An air leak detector is a small, handheld device that uses sensors to detect air leaks. There are two kinds of air detectors: ultrasonic and thermal. Ultrasonic air leak detectors detect the high-frequency sound that can be heard when air is escaping from a hole or crack. Thermal air leak detectors work by detecting temperature differences between the inside and outside of a home.

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Both candles and incense sticks are extremely sensitive to airflow, making this a highly visual DIY test for air leaks. The steps are simple:

The first step in finding air leaks is to… look for them. Take a walk through your home and look for any cracks or gaps—however small. It’s likely you’ll find air leaks around:

Ultimately, the blower door test is the best way to get an accurate assessment of your home’s airtightness. It’s worth investing in if you’re ready to fix your house’s problems at the source, make your house comfortable, and save energy (which will also save money long term).

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If your window or door is greedy and won’t give back the cash easily, that’s a good sign. It’s probably closing tightly enough to keep outside air out.

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The most common type of air sealant is caulk, which is used to fill small gaps and openings. Other types of sealants include:

And as you’re exploring the nooks and crannies of your house, remember that just because you don’t see any gaps doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Sometimes air leaks can be hidden behind walls, ceilings, and floors.

Sealed did a great job with insulating my home. The drafts are gone which makes the house more comfortable and warmer. […] I’m saving money on my heating bill. Sealed did a great job and I highly recommend them.

If you suspect you have air leaks, you’re probably right. Most homes in the U.S. do, and according to ENERGY STAR, air leakage is responsible for up to 40% of the energy loss in American homes (1).

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Air leaks are gaps or openings in your home where air can escape (or seep in). Air leaks are extremely common because it’s natural for homes to settle, shift, and develop gaps as years go by.

The blower door test is performed using a specialized machine that conducts a pressurization test in your home to find air leaks.

If you’re interested in saving money (and who isn’t?), you can get all of these professional diagnostic tests done—and the problems fixed—for no (or very little) upfront cost if your home qualifies to work with Sealed.

So here’s the deal: If your home qualifies for Sealed, our experts will take charge of the situation. We start with a home energy audit then put together a custom home upgrade plan that will make your house feel amazing.

You can also do a visual inspection around your home’s foundation, in crawl spaces (don’t forget the rim joists down there), and in the attic. Look for obvious cracks, openings, and missing insulation or caulk.

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A word of caution: Air sealing or insulating the wrong way can cause moisture problems that can lead to structure and indoor air quality issues. It’s crucial to get air sealing right. That way, you’ll reduce your energy waste and drafts for good.)

If you’re uncomfortable with waving a live flame around your windows—or you don’t want your whole house to smell like patchouli incense—a variation on this trick is to use a smoke pen (sometimes also called a smoke pencil) instead of a candle or incense.

Then just grab a length of toilet paper and move it—slowly and methodically—around the perimeter of your window and door frames. Watch for it to waver. When it does, you’ve found another air leak.

You’ll get the best results when you hire an experienced professional. (See if you qualify for expert air sealing with Sealed here.)

Both types of air leak detectors are available at most hardware stores, and they typically cost between $20 and $50 (here’s a highly-rated one that costs about $40).

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(Learn how to fix drafty windows here or watch the quick video below to learn more about how outside air gets inside your home.)

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That way, the air you pay to heat and condition will actually stay in your house—and you’ll stay comfortable 365 days a year. (Novel concept!)

On Nov. 26, USCIS posted a Federal Register notice for a new designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026.

Keep in mind that DIY tests will only uncover the most obvious leaks—you’ll need a professional to do a blower-door test if you want a full analysis of the issue.

Home air leaks overwork your HVAC system. If you don’t find and fix air leaks in your home, your air conditioning and heating units will struggle to maintain the temperature you want, which shortens their lifespan, raises your utility bills, and makes your house stuffy in summer and drafty in winter.

(We probably don’t need to tell you this, but if you do use a candle, be extremely careful. We’re not responsible for accidents.)

The big question here, of course, is why would you get a blower door test if you can save money by testing for air leaks yourself?

Next, walk through your house and gently hold your hand around the edges of doors and windows, light switches, electrical outlets, and plumbing fixtures.

Go into the drafty room, shut all the doors and windows, and move your hand—slowly—around the perimeter of all doors and windows, as well as any other potential access points to outside air. Feel any air coming in? Bingo.

DIY air-leak tests are a good starting place, but without a professional, you would never be able to find every single air leak that’s wasting energy in your home.

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(Find a leak? Tap here to learn if putting plastic over windows works (spoiler: it doesn’t) or if  thermal curtains are any better at stopping air leaks.)

Everything went very smoothly, and my house feels cozy… no more cold and drafty spots. I strongly recommend using [Sealed].

To use an air leak detector, simply turn it on and move it around the perimeter of your home, around doors and windows, etcetera—you know the drill by now.