Qs Laptop
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2018
- Messages
- 3,604
I'm sitting in the basement of my Minneapolis area home watching TV and I can't stay warm without wearing a hoodie, shoes (or slippers) and a blanket. House was built in 1979 so it was after the Carter-era rules on increased insulation were instituted. The basement is a walk-out with a southern exposure. The floor is carpeted but has minimal padding underneath. The north foundation wall is entirely underground. The east wall is about one-half underground, same with the west foundation wall. All windows and patio doors in the house were replaced in 2014 and are energy efficient (very good R-values.)
If I place my face near the electrical outlets on the southern wall I can feel cold air coming into the house. I presume there are many other spots that are leaking air into the house as well. As part of an effort to make the basement warmer I'd like to find and plug any air leaks. I would start in the basement but I would suppose the whole house should be checked.
What is the best way to find these leaks?
I've thought of several ways.
1. Buy an infrared thermometer, one of those laser units where you point the laser beam at a spot and read the temperature. These are $30 to $50 on Amazon. Won't give me the exact location of the leaks but I figure I should be able to track it down to a small general area with one of these devices. Bonus: can use it for other projects or just to play with.
2. Get an infrared thermal imaging camera. These would be perfect for my application but they are expensive, $400 to $500.
3. Light a punk (is used to light fireworks) or a stick of incense and hold it near suspected air leak areas. Watch for movement of the wisps of smoke. This is the least expensive method.
4. Pay a HVAC consultant or gas company tech to come out and map the house with an infrared thermal imaging camera. No idea of the cost, but I presume it would get the job done.
How would you find air leaks? I welcome your suggestions.
If I place my face near the electrical outlets on the southern wall I can feel cold air coming into the house. I presume there are many other spots that are leaking air into the house as well. As part of an effort to make the basement warmer I'd like to find and plug any air leaks. I would start in the basement but I would suppose the whole house should be checked.
What is the best way to find these leaks?
I've thought of several ways.
1. Buy an infrared thermometer, one of those laser units where you point the laser beam at a spot and read the temperature. These are $30 to $50 on Amazon. Won't give me the exact location of the leaks but I figure I should be able to track it down to a small general area with one of these devices. Bonus: can use it for other projects or just to play with.
2. Get an infrared thermal imaging camera. These would be perfect for my application but they are expensive, $400 to $500.
3. Light a punk (is used to light fireworks) or a stick of incense and hold it near suspected air leak areas. Watch for movement of the wisps of smoke. This is the least expensive method.
4. Pay a HVAC consultant or gas company tech to come out and map the house with an infrared thermal imaging camera. No idea of the cost, but I presume it would get the job done.
How would you find air leaks? I welcome your suggestions.