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How to create an airtight home

Close up of a see-through pet door installed on a glass door leading into an outdoor area

Overview

Having an airtight home will reduce your electricity consumption and possibly your power bill by preventing airflow out of your house. We’ll show you some areas of potential heat loss and some products you can use to eliminate gaps in your home. 

Steps

1Check your ceiling for air leakage

Over 40% of heating is lost through your ceiling so it's really important to make sure you get rid of any draughts or areas of air leakage. Check around all light shades, vents and antennas for potential gaps. Crawl into your roof space and if you can see any light, that's a gap that's causing heat loss and needs to be filled.

Close up of a vent on the outside of a house

2Close up outside vents

There are many areas around your home that may leak warm air. Pet doors and vents from things such as a rangehoood, a dryer or shower can cause a lot of heat loss. Installing brackets for these appliances can prevent air loss through them
Close up of a see-through pet door installed on a glass door leading into an outdoor area

3Reduce heat loss through your chimney

Your house can lose a lot of heat through a chimney or open fireplace. If you're not actively using your fireplace, consider sealing it up on the inside. If you do like to use your fireplace, you could close the chimney's flue or use a damper to reduce the air flow.

Fireplace with freshly cut wood sitting in it

4Check your air conditioning unit

Air conditioning units can lose a lot of air at the connections that lead outside. Check that all the fixings are secure at the building and at the air conditioning unit.  Also look for leaky or cracked pipes that may also be causing air loss. 

Closeup of a central air conditioning unit installed outside a house. The temperature reads 25.8 degrees.

5Seal up door and window gaps

To seal aluminium doors and windows, install a thermal break to create another barrier against air loss and movement. For wooden windows and doors, you can use foam seals. Make sure that any existing door and windows strips are in good condition and that they aren't leaking air. If they do, these can be easily replaced with foam strips.  

Close up of a hand pressed against the sealing of an open glass door
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.